Panama’s fleet of Panama Canal tugs to be retrofitted with new tail-shaft bearings

Thordon Bearings has secured a major contract from an unnamed Panama-based company for the conversion of the rubber tail shaft bearings of its entire fleet of tugs, pilot vessels and workboats that operate on the Panama Canal to water-lubricated polymer bearings. The agreement with the operator follows on from the successful retrofitting of Thordon’s SXL Tailshaft bearings to twelve of its twin-screw tugs last year during scheduled drydockings. The remaining 32 vessels will now be converted in batches, at planned maintenance intervals over the next four years.

For the first batch of conversions, Thordon will supply a total of 62 bearings machined to fit shaft diameters ranging between 63.5mm and 101mm. However, the scope of supply also includes Thordon’s ThorPlas-Blue bearings for tiller arms and jockey bars and SXL rudder bearings, both of which operate without the use of grease.

Interoceanic waterways, such as the Panama Canal, tend to be very abrasive environments, which are not ideal for bronze-backed rubber bearings. The bronze outer shell and the steel housing are prone to galvanic corrosion, resulting in non-budgeted maintenance costs and unscheduled drydockings.

The vast majority of Panama Canal tugs drydock at Balboa-based Astilleros Puerto de Balboa, at the Pacific entrance to the canal.