New cargo ships ride on bubbles of air to reduce fuel emissions by 40 percent
Water resistance means cargo ships burn more fuel, but what if they didn't float in the water but rode on air instead?
Key takeaways
- Silverstream’s patented technology maximises these net efficiency gains through the system’s low power consumption and highly effective delivery of microbubbles into the boundary layer.
- The retrofit installations will commence in early 2023 and take two years to complete.
- The collaboration between Klaveness and Silverstream Technologies has resulted in a pioneering solution suitable for any standard tanker and bulk carrier of this size.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2022) 'New cargo ships ride on bubbles of air to reduce fuel emissions by 40 percent', 311 Institute, 7 July. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/new-cargo-ships-to-ride-on-bubbles-of-air-to-reduce-fuel-emissions-by-40-percent/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
If you don’t care that much about bubbles on a ships hull then consider this, not only is it a great way to reduce the amount of water friction on a ships hull and reduce energy consumption, but when adapted to submarines, as the Americans, Chinese, and Russians have been doing for a while now, it could create an entirely new class of supersonic submarines and underwater torpedoes – like this 200 knot prototype.
Now though in a more conventional application of the technology clean technology company Silverstream Technologies today announced that it has reached an agreement with Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC) to install an innovative new version of its proven air lubrication system, the Silverstream System, on up to 11 vessels, including three CABU II class and eight CLEANBU class vessels.
The future of Shipping and Trade, by keynote Matthew Griffin
The Silverstream System uses a series of Air Release Units (ARUs) in the vessel’s flat bottom to generate a uniform carpet of microbubbles that travel the full length of the hull, reducing friction between the hull and the water and substantially reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions as a result. Silverstream’s patented technology maximises these net efficiency gains through the system’s low power consumption and highly effective delivery of microbubbles into the boundary layer.
The retrofit installations will commence in early 2023 and take two years to complete. The collaboration between Klaveness and Silverstream Technologies has resulted in a pioneering solution suitable for any standard tanker and bulk carrier of this size. The deal enables KCC to further enhance the already market-leading environmental performance of its combination carrier fleet.
With its capability to carry both types of cargo and other design improvements, KCC’s vessels emit up to 40% less CO2 per ton-mile compared to standard tanker or bulk carriers in similar trading patterns – a high performance benchmark that will be boosted by the installation of the Silverstream® System.
Speaking on the deal, Noah Silberschmidt, Founder & CEO of Silverstream Technologies, said: “We are delighted to sign this deal with KCC and begin work to retrofit our technology across its fleet. KCC has a strong and well-deserved reputation for being a sustainability leader and a genuinely green-minded innovator, and we are confident that our system will help to boost these credentials even further.
“The deal also proves Silverstream’s ability to take on complex retrofit projects and again underlines the attractiveness of our unique technology to a wide range of shipping segments and vessel operations. It also strengthens our ability to be able to serve unique vessel types and positions us perfectly to scale up adoption of our solution in both dry bulk and tanker shipping.
“Shipping has precious little time to act on its environmental footprint and proven clean technologies like the Silverstream System are one of the only ways that owners and operators can get ahead of the curve. We look forward to further scaling our technology across a range of vessel types and fleet sizes in the near future.”
Engebret Dahm, CEO of KCC, added: “Maximising the energy efficiency of our fleet is a top priority for KCC. It is a prerequisite for reaching our decarbonisation targets and succeeding with the future energy transition. We are pleased to conclude the deal with Silverstream and to start the installation of Silverstream’s innovative and proven air lubrification system on two of vessels in 2023, with the intention to roll out the system on a further nine vessels during 2024 and 2025.
“Silverstream’s system is an important part of a larger planned energy efficiency retrofit programme at KCC, which will aim to further strengthen our lead as the lowest carbon shipping provider in the dry bulk and tanker markets.”
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Water resistance means cargo ships burn more fuel, but what if they didn't float in the water but rode on air instead?
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Silverstream Technologies silverstream-tech.com
- Klaveness Combination Carriers combinationcarriers.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 7 July 2022. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2022). New cargo ships ride on bubbles of air to reduce fuel emissions by 40 percent. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/new-cargo-ships-to-ride-on-bubbles-of-air-to-reduce-fuel-emissions-by-40-percent/
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