MSC announced it will be deploying an air lubrication solution called the Silverstream System on a substantial portion of its newbuild pipeline as it looks to improve the efficiency of its fleet.
The technology behind system is designed to allow the company to achieve significant savings in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by helping the ship move more smoothly through the water.
The Silverstream System 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, this air lubrication system also helps minimise noise, vibration and fouling.
Giuseppe Gargiulo, Head of Newbuildings at MSC’s ship management company in Sorrento, Italy said, “As part of our significant efforts to further improve our environmental performance, we are continuously on the look-out for new innovative solutions that could help us achieve efficiency gains.”
“Air lubrication technology is one of the proven technologies that can help ships to achieve fuel savings and reduce energy losses. With the right hull design, the substantial reduction in carbon emissions that the Silverstream System can offer perfectly matches our ambition to fit our fleet with the latest technologies available helping us move closer to a zero-carbon future.”
The order relates to a substantial portion of MSC’s newbuild pipeline, currently at 54 ships according to Alphaliner, with a number of the vessels expected to be deployed on the world’s busiest trade lanes between Asia and Europe.
“This order of more than 30 Systems for MSC’s newbuild programme is a landmark moment for both Silverstream and for clean technology adoption across shipping,” says Silverstream’s Founder and CEO, Noah Silberschmidt. “It is the single largest order of not only our technology, but of any air lubrication technology in the history of our market. We are extremely proud of this achievement and are ready for the challenge of managing our largest ever installation programme at five different shipyards.”
According to Silverstream, a significant reduction of 1.6 mn 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 €257m (US$300m) over the same period of time.
