Hanwha Ocean and Thordon Bearings link up on Canadian patrol submarine project

May 7, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Hanwha Ocean and Thordon Bearings have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the benefits of cooperating on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Program (CPSP) and other Canadian or global maritime projects.

The CPSP is one of the largest conventional submarine procurements in modern history and offers a transformational opportunity for Canada.

Hanwha Ocean was selected as one of two qualified suppliers by the Government of Canada for the CPSP. Subject to the award of the CPSP, Hanwha Ocean plans to support in-country capability development for critical submarine subsystems and lifecycle sustainment.

Thordon has supplied oil-free bearing systems to more than 50 navies and coast guards worldwide. The company’s non-metallic polymer bearings operate without oil or grease lubrication, helping reduce maintenance requirements and the risk of oil pollution.

Thordon bearings have also been installed on the shaftlines of the US Navy’s Seawolf-class submarines due to their low acoustic signature characteristics. In Canada, the firm’s COMPAC propeller shaft bearings are fitted on the Royal Canadian Navy’s 12 Halifax-class frigates and six Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and offshore patrol vessels, and have also been ordered for two Canadian Coast Guard AOPVs.

“Signing this MOU with Thordon Bearings, a company with world-class technological capabilities, marks a meaningful step in our efforts to explore cooperation with local supply chain partners for the Canadian submarine program,” said Charlie SC Eoh, President/COO of Naval Ship Business, Hanwha Ocean.

“Building on our proven submarine construction expertise, Hanwha Ocean intends to jointly explore potential cooperation opportunities with Thordon and other leading Canadian companies, with the aim of contributing to solutions that meet the requirements of the Royal Canadian Navy and supporting the broader foundation of bilateral naval defense cooperation.”

“Through this MOU, we hope to explore how Thordon’s Canadian-made, proven bearings can work with Hanwha Ocean’s leading submarine and shipbuilding global performance record with the objective to strengthen sovereign defense industrial capability,” commented Anna Galoni, CEO, Thordon Bearings.

“Cooperating with a world-class shipbuilder like Hanwha Ocean, Thordon can provide a domestic solution that avoids procurement from overseas and offers the potential for future sales to other foreign navies through Hanwha Ocean.”