Americas News
Thordon Labels EALs as Too Expensive
Thordon Bearings Inc. (Thordon) this month has argued that environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) are too expensive, with products using vegetable oils, synthetic esters, and polyalkylene glycols in some cases costing over seven times more than the mineral oils they replace.
However Seawater is "the ultimate EAL" it says.
"What is the point in shipowners investing in costly bio-lubricants when seawater is widely available and 100% free?" asked Craig Carter, Thordon's Director of Marketing and Customer Service.
"It's akin to paying for the very air we breathe."
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations introduced in 2013 mandate the use of EALs in oil-to-sea interfaces by vessels over 24 metres operating in U.S. waters.
The new rules mean owners need to use an oil-based EAL to lubricate the metal bearings and ensure the seal is compatible with the EAL.
However, as Thordon has previously outlined, they also have the option to convert or build a ship to allow it to use a seawater-based system using non-metallic prop shaft bearings, such as those manufactured by Thordon.
"When you take into account that between 130 million to 240 million litres of operational oil lubricant is leaked into the oceans each year…the cost to the shipowner is simply staggering," said Carter.
Prior to their introduction, Fathom outlined the changes to the new VGP rules.
