Thordon Bearings promotes ‘sterntubeless’ ship concept aimed at eliminating oil pollution and reducing operating costs in International Shipping News , Interviews 10/06/2026 Thordon Bearings is promoting an innovative “sterntubeless” vessel design developed in cooperation with the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI), the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and classification society ABS. The concept aims to eliminate oil pollution risks associated with conventional stern tube arrangements while offering shipowners lower maintenance and operating costs. According to the company, the idea emerged from discussions on how to retain the environmental advantages of seawater-lubricated shaft systems while achieving capital costs comparable to traditional oil-lubricated installations. The resulting design replaces the conventional stern tube with a specially designed chamber and a seawater-lubricated bearing arrangement, allowing inspection and maintenance to be carried out while the vessel remains afloat. The concept received Approval in Principle (AiP) from ABS in 2022 and has since been presented to shipowners and shipyards in Greece, South Korea, China and Japan. The design is intended to eliminate the risk of oil leakage from propeller shaft systems, reduce drydocking requirements and improve operational efficiency. Industry partners involved in the project expect the first installation to take place in the near future as interest continues to grow among shipowners seeking environmentally friendly and cost-effective propulsion system solutions. Watch the full interview with Craig Carter, Director of Marketing & Customer Service at Thordon Bearings, below. Hellenic Shipping News with Craig Carter, Director of Marketing & Customer Service, Thordon Bearings 2026-06-10 hellenicshippingnews... tweet Share