Armada Technologies

Air lubrication is one of the most in-demand technologies in the maritime sector. Air lubrication works through releasing microbubbles under the hull of a ship, creating a very thin layer of aerated water that reduces friction with sea water. Crucially, this reduction of drag means vessels require less energy to propel themselves—a big win not just in terms of cost-savings and efficiency, but in terms of environmental outcomes.

Existing methods of air lubrication, however, have their shortcomings. Most systems use compressors to generate a continuous flow of air which is then passed beneath

the ship’s bottom plate surface through embedded piping and air cavities in the hull to create the layer of air bubbles.

These compressors not only require significant installation space, they also demand additional power (often an auxiliary engine) and can increase vibration and noise. They can also often increase drag on ships when they are not in operation. These systems also depend largely on certain conditions, with limited efficacy in stormy seas.

How effective these systems actually are is also up for debate. Many systems claim 5-10% in fuel savings, but many systems are closer to 0-7%, and often claim single point performance at a set speed/draft combination.