Stern roller conversion highlights value of Thordon water-lubricated bearings

If the stern roller on an offshore support vessel fails, an owner can lose thousands of dollars an hour in downtime. But when a UAE-based marine logistics operator faced a critical bearing issue on one of its anchor-handling tugs, Ocean Power International (OPI) and Thordon Bearings turned critical downtime into a 72-hour turnaround success.

“Downtime is the single biggest cost driver in offshore support operations,” explained Malcolm Barratt, Thordon Bearings regional manager for Southern Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean. “When you combine that with the cost of bronze, it becomes clear that a cleaner, faster, and more durable alternative like Thordon’s proven SXL material makes much more sense.”

Unlike conventional metallic bearings that require regular greasing, SXL is a self-lubricating elastomeric polymer specifically engineered for water or dry-running conditions. Its inherent resilience and abrasion resistance make it ideally suited for heavy-duty deck machinery such as stern rollers, winches, and towing pins, all of which are subjected to high loads, shock, and contamination from seawater or debris.

According to OPI general manager, Rafid Qureshi, maintaining local inventory and having a trained installation team underpinned the success of installation. “Our engineers have fitted SXL bearings in a wide range of marine applications, so we were able to handle the machining and installation in under three days. The result is a bearing system that’s cleaner, safer, and virtually maintenance-free.”

Thordon SXL belongs to a family of elastomeric bearing materials designed to operate where grease-based or oil-lubricated systems are either impractical or undesirable. Its low coefficient of friction, combined with its ability to recover from deformation, provides a reliable load-bearing surface even under marginal lubrication.

By removing the risk of lubricant leakage, operators not only reduce environmental exposure but also simplify their maintenance regimes, removing the need for pumps, seals, and grease lines.

While environmental considerations play an increasing role in equipment selection, owners must also consider total cost of ownership and reliability in harsh conditions.

In this case, the conversion demonstrated how a sustainable bearing choice can also be the most practical. The Thordon SXL bearings installed by OPI require no periodic greasing, generate less heat under load, and offer long wear life in abrasive or contaminated water. Combined with Thordon’s global support network and OPI’s on-the-ground expertise, the operator gained a fast and permanent fix with lower future maintenance exposure.

“This project highlights exactly what we mean when we talk about performance and sustainability working hand-in-hand,” said Mr Barratt. “It’s not just about being greener; it’s also giving operators a bearing that performs better and lasts longer while removing the environmental risk.”