REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION UP TO 10%

Our air lubrication systems are designed for longevity and minimal maintenance over the service life of a vessel.

The air compressors and distribution piping that make up an ALS use rugged, marine-grade components rated for continuous operation in harsh ocean environments. All parts are easily accessible for routine inspection and maintenance. With basic upkeep, the hardware can function reliably for the full lifespan of a ship. The air nozzles will experience minimal corrosion and fouling due to the constant airflow.

The technology is designed to be highly robust and resilient. Once integrated into a ship, it can provide fuel efficiency benefits over the full service life without requiring major overhauls or replacements of system components. With routine maintenance, an ALS investment will continue generating returns for decades.

Air lubrication is a promising innovation that can reduce friction between a ship's hull and the water. When optimized, air lubrication can decrease fuel consumption through delivering noteworthy efficiency improvements and cost savings.

This clever approach reduces drag by minimizing the portion of the hull in direct contact with water. With proper injector systems and hull designs, the technology can distribute air evenly for a stable hydrodynamic lift.

Research continues to fully harness the potential of air lubrication. Engineers are refining air injection methods and hull configurations to maximize performance. Adoption has been gradual but is expected to increase overtime, as the data from current installations accumulates.

Air lubrication provides an innovative way to meaningfully improve ship efficiency. With further development, these systems could see widespread implementation and make a significant impact on global maritime transport. The technology has genuine promise to reduce emissions and costs for the shipping industry.

Yes, our air lubrication systems can be disabled if needed, since the technology is fully integrated into a ship's controls. However, there are no operational scenarios where turning off an ALS would provide benefits.

Unlike protruding systems from some competitors that create drag when not in use, our air nozzles are flush with the hull. When the ALS is powered down, the nozzles pose no additional resistance. There is no efficiency loss from disabling our system.

Turning off the ALS would eliminate its drag reduction benefits. Our system is designed for continuous operation in all conditions. There are no associated performance penalties or safety risks that would necessitate disabling the ALS. Our system imposes no penalties when active and delivers maximal benefits through continuous optimized operation.

Several factors make air lubrication systems more effective on larger, faster ships with hull roughness.

Larger hull surface area provides more space for a consistent, unbroken air layer to form. Large ships have greater weight and engine power, so reducing their higher friction yields more significant fuel savings. Hull roughness improves performance by acting as a site for air bubbles to form and spread evenly across the hull. A perfectly smooth surface can cause air bubbles to slip unstably. Controlled roughness helps the air layer adhere and remain stable. Higher ship speeds increase overall friction and drag. Reducing this elevated friction via air lubrication yields comparatively higher fuel savings at faster speeds.

Combining these factors allows our air lubrication systems to deliver their greatest fuel-saving performance, compared to smaller ships, going slower speeds with a smooth hull.

In recent years, air lubrication technology has been trialed on approximately 80 ships across segments such as cruise, dry bulk, containerships, tankers and ferries. The extensive testing has allowed researchers to evaluate and refine air lubrication systems for real-world applications.

As the technology continues to be implemented, findings from these prototype deployments will help guide the wider adoption of air lubrication and enable further optimization of these innovative systems.

Calculating fuel savings is based on sea trials with the system on and off and by recording performance data for three months before and after installation.

CFD analysis is first done on the bare hull to determine baseline performance. Air lubrication nozzles are then added to the digital model at different locations and simulations run at various speeds. This CFD analysis optimizes nozzle placement for maximum efficiency.

Controlled sea trials are conducted to compare efficiency with and without the air lubrication system active. The torque sensor provides real-time power data, while factors like speed, loading, and sea state are monitored and accounted for.

By combining the computational simulations and physical trials, the fuel savings from air lubrication can be accurately calculated. The CFD analysis dial in optimal nozzle configurations, while the torque sensor measurements quantify real-world reductions in engine load and fuel.