ABS has granted Approval In Principle, AIP, to the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute, SDARI, for a revolutionary vessel design with a novel aft layout, which eliminates oil pollution and promotes efficient vessel operations. This SDARI design, developed in cooperation with Thordon Bearings Inc. and the National Technical University of Athens, involves the removal of the sterntube, employing seawater for bearing lubrication and the creation of an aft chamber to permit in-water maintenance for the first time. This negates the need for drydocking or shaft line removal for bearing/seal replacement, in addition to offering zero pollution risk.
“The concept of using seawater as a lubricant is well-established and the proposed design takes this further by removing the stern tube casting, decreasing the shaft line length, reducing the engine room space and increasing the cargo space. The elimination of the barred speed range and the creation of an aft chamber to enable in-water inspection, enable significant efficiencies and cost savings for operators,” said Dr. Chris Leontopoulos, Director of Global Ship Systems Center, ABS Athens.”
