Maersk to trial Air Lubrication System

A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) is to trial an Air Lubrication System manufactured by Silverstream Technologies, also in collaboration with Wärtsilä, on its container ships to reduce its carbon footprint.

The trial will analyse possible improvements to the ship’s overall efficiency, focusing primarily on the reduction of fuel consumption and associated emission levels.

Silverstream’s system creates a carpet of microbubbles that coat the entire flat bottom of the vessel. This carpet then reduces frictional resistance between the hull and the water.


“We are delighted that A.P. Moller-Maersk is backing our market-leading technology, which is proven to significantly improve operational efficiency and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions,” said Noah Silberschmidt, Founder and CEO of Silverstream Technologies. “We also wish to thank Wärtsilä for its collaboration in the delivery of this integrated solution.”

Bernd Bertram, Vice President of Propulsion at Wärtsilä Marine Power, added, “Everything that we do today inevitably sets the future for coming generations, so we need to act in a positive way to ensure that decarbonising vessel propulsion is an effective priority for the industry.

“This is a view that is shared by Maersk, a company with whom we have worked closely with for many years. Silverstream’s Air Lubrication System is an important steppingstone along this path.”

The order for the equipment was made by Maersk in May 2021 and will be delivered during Q2 of 2022.

One further way Maersk has been trying to reduce its carbon footprint is through signing cooperation framework agreements with the China Classification Society (CSS). The two parties joined forces in researching and developing technical innovation projects such as life-cycle green fuel availability and designs for carbon-neutral vessels.

https://www.porttechnology.org/news/maersk-to-trial-air-lubrication-system/