Keeping the Maritime
Industry Moving
Reliable power for the high seas. High-performance bearings, gearboxes and couplings engineered to withstand the harshest marine conditions.
Precision Bearing Solutions
Marine Bearings for Every Application
In maritime shipping, bearings are critical components — especially for marine propulsion systems. They support rotating shafts and loads, ensuring smooth vessel operation while withstanding the harshest conditions at sea.
Howcroft Group provides marine bearings with composite materials, solid lubricants, and exceptional corrosion resistance designed for seawater environments — from cruise ships to icebreakers, container vessels to specialist offshore platforms.
Journal Bearings
Fixed geometry or tilt pad designs supporting rotating shafts — available split or solid with specialised bore profiles for optimal shaft control.
Split Roller Bearings
Ideal for hard-to-reach driveshaft locations, enabling quick bearing replacement without full disassembly.
Tilt Pad Thrust Bearings
Support axial loads in self-equalizing or non-equalizing designs for demanding marine propulsion environments.
Stern Tube Bearings
Specifically engineered for the stern tube passage where the propeller shaft extends through the ship hull.
Line Shaft Bearings
Provide critical support for the propeller shaft ensuring smooth, efficient propulsion across all sea states.
Marine Gearbox Internals
Precision bearings essential for smooth, reliable operation within marine reduction gearboxes.
Thrust Blocks
Engineered to absorb the full axial load of the propeller shaft under high-thrust operating conditions.
Propulsion Motor Bearings
Support rotating parts of electric and diesel marine propulsion motors and generators.
Corrosion Resistance
Marine bearings resistant to seawater and harsh saltwater environments.
High Load Capacity
Sufficient tensile strength and load-bearing capacity for extreme marine conditions.
Solid Lubrication
Bearings with solid lubricants for dry running and outstanding wear life.
Composite Materials
Synthetic composite bearings for rudders, stern tube, and specialist applications.
Self-Contained
Designs that require no external oil lubrication systems for remote installations.
Compact Design
Space-optimised solutions for the confined environments of modern marine engineering.
Propulsion Gearboxes
Marine Gearbox Expertise
Howcroft has decades of experience in the specification and supply of shipping & maritime gearboxes, which require specialised handling due to their size, weight, and the potential for hazardous materials.
Marine Reduction Gears
Key elements of the propulsion system enabling the main engine and propeller to operate at optimum speeds.
Multiple-Engine Ships
Multiple-input/single-output gearboxes directing several diesel engines or electric motors to a single propeller.
Offshore Applications
Gearboxes for jack-up systems, swing drives for cranes, and winch drives for lifting heavy components.
Power Transmission
Marine Couplings
In shipping and maritime applications, couplings are essential for connecting propeller shafts, engines, and hose systems — ensuring reliable power transmission and safety across all vessel types.
Rigid Couplings
High-precision solid connections ensuring precise shaft alignment and maximum torque transfer.
Flexible Couplings
Accommodate shaft misalignment while transmitting power — ideal where vibration or shock loads are present.
Breakaway Couplings
Separate under predetermined load to protect hoses and equipment during tanker breakouts or pressure surges.
Shaft Couplings
Connect propeller shaft sections for smooth, reliable power transmission along the drive train.
Fluid Couplings
Use fluid to transmit power enabling smooth engine startup, soft load take-up, and vibration damping.
Quick Couplings
Safe and rapid connection/disconnection of hoses — particularly for compressed air and fluid transfer applications.
Coupling Applications
Complete Maritime Supply Range
Everything you need for vessel maintenance, propulsion, and crew safety — from a single trusted source.
Marine Bearings
Journal, thrust, stern tube & split roller bearings
Marine Gearboxes
Reduction gears, propulsion gearboxes & offshore units
Marine Couplings
Rigid, flexible, breakaway & shaft couplings
Drive Belts & Chains
High-performance drive belts and transmission components
Safety & PPE
Marine-rated workwear, gloves, eyewear & hi-vis
Cleaning & Maintenance
Heavy-duty wipes, cleaning products & industrial paint
Professional Tools
Engine repair tools, diagnostic & workshop equipment
Consumables
Zinc paint, electrical products, fastenings & workshop supplies
Vessel Types We Support
Marine components supplied across the full spectrum of commercial and specialist vessels
Free Marine MRO Consultation
Let our marine specialists help you source the right components for your vessel or fleet.
Trusted by Shipping & Maritime Operations
Real quotes from operations teams who rely on Howcroft for safety gear, bearings, drives and maintenance equipment.
PPE & MRO for logistics operations
"Whether it's specialist PPE for our warehouse team or emergency drive components, Howcroft always delivers. Their 24/7 support line has genuinely saved us on multiple occasions."
Multiple forklift hydraulic failures affecting warehouse operations
Bulk emergency repair kit supply and same-day technical support consultation
"Howcroft's quick thinking and comprehensive product range helped us minimize operational disruption."
Bespoke branded workwear & PPE
"Howcroft's bespoke workwear programme means every member of our team is correctly kitted out. The turnaround on embroidered PPE is faster than any supplier we've previously used."
Conveyor belt drive slipping during peak production, risking food contamination
Same-day supply of food-grade lubricant and replacement tensioners with ISO certification
"As a food producer, hygiene and compliance are non-negotiable. Howcroft delivered certified solutions within hours."
Spindle bearing failure on CNC machine causing 8-hour production stoppage
Emergency delivery of OEM replacement bearing within 2 hours, coordinated installation support
"Howcroft's emergency response saved us from a costly production delay. The team went above and beyond to get us back online quickly."
Hygiene-grade & compliant components
"The Howcroft team understood our hygiene-grade requirements immediately and supplied FDA-compliant bearings with full traceability documentation. Exactly what our audit team needed."
