Air lubrication is a system used in vessels by using air to decrease the frictional resistance of the hull of a ship. As a result, the vessel glides easily through water. Tiny air bubbles are pumped through vents fitted in the hull of the ship.
Namely, according to Nick Holland, some of the biggest vessels globally, burn the dirtiest fuel. The industry has to cut the emissions in half by 2050.
In addition, Noah Silberschmidt , CEO and founder of Silverstream Technologies, has created a commercial system that saves fuel for ships using air lubrication. It has been independently tested and shown to work.
Moreover, according to BBC, there are also other fuel-saving devices, such as the spinning column on top of a ferry, called rotating cylinder, acting like a wing of an airplane. This system, when interacting with the wind is creating a pressure difference, pushing the entire ship forward.
The ship master by using the wind, reduces main engine power and consequently, saves 400 tonnes of fuel annually.
Yet, both technologies are costly, that’s why they are used by a handful of vessels.
