New maritime scholarship aims to fast-track green ship design innovation

Thordon Bearings and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) have joined forces to establish a new annual graduate scholarship aimed at accelerating environmental innovation in ship design.

Backed by a significant personal contribution from Thordon founder George A. “Sandy” Thomson, the Thordon Bearings Graduate Scholarship will support outstanding postgraduate students working on solutions to cut the maritime industry’s environmental impact.

The scholarship invites proposals covering innovations anywhere on a vessel – above or below the waterline – that deliver measurable improvements on noise, air, or water quality.

Candidates will be assessed on the originality and technicalities of their ideas and concepts, the scale of potential benefits, and the commercial viability of bringing the ideas to life. It’s an intentionally broad brief, designed to encourage cross-disciplinary thinking increasingly needed to address the industry’s sustainability challenges.

Thomson, who has spent more than five decades at the forefront of clean maritime technology, said the partnership with SNAME reflects a shared commitment to supporting the next generation.

“SNAME has long been the home of rigorous technical discourse, and supporting students who are passionate about reducing pollution is one of the most impactful ways we can contribute to the future of naval architecture,” says Thomson.

His own career offers a template for what innovation can look like at scale. In the late 1970s, he pioneered seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearings. The technology is now standard across commerical fleets, inland waterways, and more than 50 navies and coastguards worldwide.

“The Society is key for its role as a forum for open and collegial debate and as a guardian of best practice,” Thomson adds.

“By creating this new scholarship, we hope to encourage and inspire the next generation of innovators in ship design and engineering in their work to develop practical and efficient solutions that also protect our precious marine environment.”

The scholarship sits within Thordon’s broader mission. The firm has built a global reputation by eliminating grease and oil from bearing and seal systems across ships, hydropower stations, and industrial installations, helping to reduce both maintenance costs and environmental risk.

With applications for the 2026-2027 academic year already closed, the first recipient is expected to be announced later this year. Full details on the Thordon Bearings Graduate Scholarship and SNAME’s wider programmes can be found online.