ADM takes delivery of bulker with air lubed hull

OCTOBER 29, 2014 — Agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has taken delivery of Harvey Frost, the first of three eco-friendly 95,000 dwt bulk carriers featuring an air lubricated hull.

The newly delivered bulk carrier is the first of three vessels, designed to serve as grain carriers, ordered by ADM in 2011 from Sumitomo Corporation. The vessel was constructed by MHI licensing partner Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. at its Nagasaki, Japan, shipyard with MHI providing the conceptual design and various green technologies.

Delivery of all three vessels is scheduled for completion by mid-2015. The bulkers are 237 m in length, 40 m in width and have a 12.5 m design draft.

MHI says that its proprietary Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System (MALS), which reduces frictional resistance between the vessel hull and seawater using air bubbles produced at the vessel bottom – has enabled a 27% reduction in CO₂ emissions, as verified, compared to conventional bulk carriers, exceeding the target figure of 25%.

The design also features a new bow shape designed to reduce wave-making resistance. Propulsive efficiency is enhanced by positioning fins forward of the propellers and incorporating special grooves in the propeller boss cap. The ship’s shallow draft also facilitates energy savings and CO₂ emission reductions.