MSC has revealed plans to deploy an air lubrication solution on a substantial portion of its newbuild pipeline as part of its journey towards a zero-carbon future.
The Silverstream System allows the company to achieve significant savings in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by helping the ship move more smoothly through the water.
It creates a “blanket” of air bubbles across the surface of the vessel’s hull, reducing resistance created by the hull as it glides through the sea. In addition to energy and emissions savings, it helps minimise noise, vibration and fouling.
“Air lubrication technology is one of the proven technologies that can help ships to achieve fuel savings and reduce energy losses,” says Giuseppe Gargiulo, head of newbuildings at MSC’s ship management company in Sorrento, Italy.
According to Silverstream, a significant reduction of 1.6 million tonnes in carbon emissions could be achieved over the vessels’ lifecycle as a direct result of installing the system onboard. In addition, MSC could see an estimated fuel saving cost of over EUR 257 million over the same period of time.
