New water-lubricated components for Polar Code compliance

"The benefit of using a water-lubricated solution can be summarised very easily – no oil," explained Benjamin Tornberg, merchant segment manager at Wärtsilä Seals and Bearings. "However, the main benefit of opting to replace oil with water is the reduced risk of a bearing failure."
In a water-lubricated stern tube system, water flows and temperatures can be closely controlled, ensuring that bearings operate in, or close to, optimal conditions. They can be supplied as either open-looped or closed-loop systems, Tornberg explained, with closed-loop arrangements having the benefit of enabling anti-freeze fluids to be added to the circulating water.
The Polar Code came into force on January 1st 2017, and addresses issues including ship design, operation, search and rescue, and protection of the environment and eco-systems in the world’s polar regions.