The South Korean shipyard Hanwha Ocean and the Canadian supplier Thordon Bearings have signed a strategic letter of intent.
Together, they want to explore the possibilities of cooperation within the Canadian Patrol Submarine Program (CPSP) as well as other maritime projects in Canada and internationally.
The CPSP is one of the largest procurement programs for conventional submarines in Canada’s modern history. Hanwha Ocean was selected by the Canadian government as one of two qualified bidders for the program. Subject to contract award, the company plans to support the development of local capabilities for critical submarine subsystems and subsequent in-country maintenance.
Thordon cooperates with navies worldwide
Thordon, based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, has supplied its oil and grease-free storage systems to more than 50 navies and coast guards worldwide. The company’s proprietary polymer bearings require no oil or grease lubrication and are designed to reduce maintenance and the risk of oil contamination.
Due to their low acoustic signature, Thordon bearings have also been used by the US Navy, including in the shafting systems of the nuclear-powered Seawolf-class submarines. The company’s Compac propeller shaft bearings are also already installed on the Royal Canadian Navy’s twelve Halifax-class frigates and six Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels. Further bearings have been ordered for two Canadian Coast Guard patrol vessels.
“Signing this agreement with Thordon Bearings, a company with world-class technological capabilities, is an important step in our efforts to explore collaboration opportunities with local supply partners for the Canadian submarine program,” said Charlie SC Eoh, President and COO of Hanwha Ocean’s Naval Ship Business. Building on its experience in submarine construction, Hanwha Ocean will work with Thordon and other leading Canadian companies to explore potential areas of cooperation to develop solutions for the Royal Canadian Navy’s requirements and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the naval sector.
Anna Galoni, CEO of Thordon Bearings, added: “With this agreement, we want to explore how Thordon’s Canadian-made and proven bearing solutions can be combined with Hanwha Ocean’s global expertise in submarine and shipbuilding to strengthen the national defense industrial base.” Working with a world-leading shipbuilder like Hanwha Ocean enables a domestic solution that can avoid overseas procurement and also offers potential for future sales to other navies through Hanwha Ocean.
