SHIPGLIDE AIR LUBRICATION SYSTEMS
Reduce fuel consumption up to 10%
Reduce drag with a layer of air.
Reduce fuel consumption
Realize real-world, in-service, operational fuel reductions of up to 10%.
Reduce gas emissions
With less fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Improve fleet efficiency
Our ALS technology allows for compliance with the IMO's Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).
SHIPGLIDE AIR LUBRICATION SYSTEMS
The Road to Zero Emission Shipping
If considered as a nation, the shipping industry would rank among the top ten largest global polluters. To pay its part in limiting the rise in global temperatures and mitigating the most severe consequences of climate change, the shipping industry must achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
SHIPGLIDE AIR LUBRICATION SYSTEMS
The Road to Zero Emission Shipping
Shipglide’s ALS offers strategic advantages in reducing Carbon Intensity (CII) and achieving EEXI and EEDI compliance. The system is adaptable to diverse hull forms and provides shipowners with a preliminary Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, offering detailed insights into the system’s impact on energy efficiency and emissions reduction.
THE COMPLETE PICTURE
We supply world-class air lubrication solutions to vessels of all types and sizes.
Shipglide conducts CFD analysis for every ship type using cutting edge CFD software and in-house CFD experts.
Shipglide has the only Boundary Layer Testing Lab dedicated to designing, optimizing and verifying air lubrication system performance.
Our engineers and project managers have the ability to take a Shipglide ALS from early concept design to completed installation.
Shipglide analyzes ship data to confirm fuel savings achieved through its air lubrication systems.
Many of our new cutting-edge concepts have been thoroughly tested, validated and are now under consideration for multiple patents.
We have conducted test cases to demonstrate the potential for analyzing the resistance reduction effects of the Shipglide ALS.
THE COMPLETE PICTURE
We supply world-class air lubrication solutions to vessels of all types and sizes.
Shipglide conducts CFD analysis for every ship type using cutting edge CFD software and in-house CFD experts.
Shipglide has the only Boundary Layer Testing Lab dedicated to designing, optimizing and verifying air lubrication system performance.
Our engineers and project managers have the ability to take a Shipglide ALS from early concept design to completed installation.
Shipglide analyzes ship data to confirm fuel savings achieved through its air lubrication systems.
Many of our new cutting-edge concepts have been thoroughly tested, validated and are now under consideration for multiple patents.
We have conducted test cases to demonstrate the potential for analyzing the resistance reduction effects of the Shipglide ALS.
Look to the future,
choose a new course.
Get real-world, in-service fuel reductions
of up to 10% with Shipglide
Case studies based on real fuel savings data.
Thanks to the great experience of our engineers, we have a lot of data, and we want to present you with some application cases of our ALS system, which lead to energy savings of up to 10%.
Bulk Carrier
Container Ship
Tanker
Multi-purpose vessel
Ferry
Reefer ship
Roll-on/roll-off
Cruise Ship
Why Choose us
Come experience all the new boats this summer brings.
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Testimonial
What they say about us
If considered as a nation, the shipping industry would rank among the top ten largest global polluters. To pay its part in limiting the rise in global temperatures and mitigating the most severe consequences of climate change, the shipping industry must achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Destinations
Treat yourself to the ultimate luxury experience on a private yacht.
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It takes two flints to make a fire.
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Air lubrication system Common Questions
Most Popular Questions
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.
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.
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.
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
