Echetalde, Thordon’s authorised distributor in Spain, delivered seawater-lubricated COMPAC propeller shaft bearings and grease-free SXL rudder bearings for new hybrid ferries. Credit: Thordon Bearings Inc.

Marine bearing supplier Thordon Bearings has delivered and installed its advanced bearing systems to a new fleet of hybrid ferries operated by Italian company Liberty Lines.

The ferries, currently under construction, are designed as environmentally friendly high-speed vessels.

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Echetalde, the authorised distributor of Thordon in Spain, provided 18 seawater-lubricated COMPAC propeller shaft bearings and nine grease-free SXL rudder bearings.

These components were delivered to Astilleros Armon shipyard in Spain for installation on nine hybrid ferries. The shipyard holds an option for an additional nine vessels to be delivered between 2027 and 2030.

Echetalde owner and CEO Iñigo Arrancudiaga said: “These ships combine traditional engines with advanced electric propulsion systems, significantly reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.

“Thordon’s bearing technology certainly adds to that operational and environmental performance.”

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The first two ferries in the series, named Vittorio Morace and Cristina M, each measuring 39.7m long and with a capacity for 251 passengers, were launched in June this year.

Delivered earlier this year, they have been recognised as the world’s first IMO HSC hybrid fast ferries of this size, stated the company.

Designed to reach speeds of up to 30kt, these hybrid-electric ferries comply with RINA’s Green Plus notation, which assesses the environmental performance of ships.

The ferries’ integrated hybrid powertrain combines conventional and electric propulsion systems. They are powered by a pair of 2,560kW diesel engines that drive the propellers through reduction gearboxes, with power being supplied by 30kW e-motors, two variable-speed gensets and a 346kWh battery pack.

Thordon Bearings Southern Europe and Gulf Med regional manager Malcolm Barratt said: “After Echetalde’s recommendation, the shipyard decided to slightly alter the original Incat-Crowther design to accommodate COMPAC.

“The original design included three competitor seawater-lubricated bearings on each shaft, but with COMPAC only two propeller shaft bearings – aft and forward – were required.”