A groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance cruise ship sustainability and ocean conservation.
- Thordon Bearings and Wärtsilä form the Blue Ocean Alliance to innovate ship design.
- The T-BOSS concept eliminates the need for traditional stern tubes in vessels.
- Potential financial savings for ship owners highlighted through reduced maintenance and lubricant needs.
- Interest from ship owners indicates strong support for the new sustainable technology.
In a bold new move to address environmental concerns, the newly established Blue Ocean Alliance, comprising Thordon Bearings and Wärtsilä, is set to introduce an innovative concept aimed at revolutionising cruise ship sustainability. The alliance’s focus on preventing ocean pollution marks a significant step forward in maritime environmental strategy.
The cornerstone of this alliance’s efforts is the development of the T-BOSS (Thordon-Blue Ocean Stern Space) concept, a radical new ship design that moves away from the conventional use of stern tubes. The traditional stern tube, which houses bearings and seal boxes, typically relies on oil, grease, or water for lubrication. By eliminating the need for oil-lubricated stern tube seals and bearings, the T-BOSS concept aligns perfectly with modern environmental priorities.
The benefits of this technological advancement go beyond environmental considerations. Financial implications for ship owners are substantial, with the potential to save ‘hundreds of thousands of dollars’ over a vessel’s lifetime. These savings stem from the removal of the requirement for lubricating oil or biodegradable lubricants, coupled with a streamlined maintenance process, which allows for tasks traditionally completed in dry-dock over two weeks to be executed in a single day whilst the ship remains in the water.
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has already recognised the viability of this pioneering concept, granting an Approval in Principle (AIP) to the ship designer SDARI, which collaborates with Thordon and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). The approval underscores confidence in the T-BOSS concept’s structural and operational integrity.
As the movement towards this sustainable ship technology gathers momentum, interest from several ship owners signals a robust market endorsement. Thordon CEO Anna Galoni highlights this growing enthusiasm, noting the alliance’s strength in bringing together a formidable partnership dedicated to advancing this groundbreaking solution.
The Blue Ocean Alliance’s innovative approach promises to redefine maritime environmental standards and operational efficiencies.
