Thordon Bearings, a market leader in environmentally safe, water-lubricated and grease-free bearing and seal solutions, has appointed marine engineering and naval architecture firm SAI Engineering to its expanding global network of authorised distributors.

Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), SAI Engineering brings a team of technical experts with more than a decade of experience specialising in vessel electrification alongside bearing and seal installations and retrofits. The firm's naval architecture background enables it to contribute valuable input at the earliest design stages of newbuild projects. Its longstanding client base spans operators and builders of ferries, river tugs, leisure craft, and fishing boats, and includes the Canadian Coast Guard — an operator that is itself undergoing fleet renewal under Canada's multi-decade National Shipbuilding Strategy, creating sustained demand for marine engineering and supply services across the country's Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

SAI Engineering's dedication to green vessel operations aligns closely with Thordon Bearings' environmentally friendly product philosophy. The maritime industry faces tightening environmental regulations, including the International Maritime Organization's ongoing measures to reduce ship-source pollution, which have accelerated interest in seawater-lubricated and grease-free propulsion components as alternatives to conventional oil-lubricated sterntube systems. The company also services Canada's industrial and forestry sectors — industries that, like the country's shipbuilding segment, are increasingly prioritising sustainable practices and represent areas where Thordon is particularly active.

Under the new agreement, SAI Engineering will distribute Thordon's full product portfolio. This includes the COMPAC propeller shaft bearing system, which employs seawater lubrication to eliminate sterntube oil pollution risk; RiverTough propeller shaft bearings, designed to outperform competing products in abrasive and heavily contaminated water conditions; SXL bearings; and ThorPlas-Blue polymer bearings, which enable grease-free operation of rudders and deck equipment.

Lara Habashy, CEO of SAI Engineering, said: "Since establishing SAI Engineering, we continue to build on our team's previous experience working with Thordon Bearings' products, which have been well received by shipyard clients. Members of our team have enjoyed a strong collaborative relationship with Thordon's management since the 2010s. We truly believe in these products, which play a vital role in supporting both our customers and the environment."

"On a personal note, as a female executive, I find it inspiring to work alongside Anna Galoni, Thordon CEO and Chair, as she leads her innovative company forward," Habashy added.

Jason Perry, Thordon Bearings' Regional Director for North America, commented: "SAI Engineering's familiarity with our product range, exceptional technical expertise and drive to solve problems while keeping the planet's health in mind makes the company a great fit for the Thordon Bearings family and a valuable resource for our customers. We gladly welcome the company to the team."

"We're justifiably proud of our distributor network, which includes partners who have been with us for 30+ years; we are always communicating and helping each other to build industry awareness that our eco-friendly solutions are also best in class based on performance," Perry concluded.

Source: Thordon Bearings