Wärtsilä inks agreement with air-lubricated hull solution provider

Silverstream System creates a carpet of microbubbles that coat the entire flat bottom of the vessel

Wärtsilä has signed a license and cooperation ageement with air lubricated hull solution specialist Silverstream Technologies. As an authorized sales and service partner, Wärtsilä intends to fully integrate Silverstream’s air lubrication system within its propulsion solutions.

By offering the Silverstream System as an integral part of Wärtsilä’s propulsion solution for newbuild vessels, compliance with IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirement will be easier to attain. Under the agreement, the Silverstream System will also be available through Wärtsilä’s sales channels for retrofit installations on existing vessels where Wärtsilä is a primary solution provider.

The integrated Silverstream System is expected to realize synergies in capital and operational savings across the propulsion chain by increasing fuel efficiency, and optimising engine loading.

Wärtsilä and Silverstream say the new collaborative partnership will accelerate the deployment of air lubrication systems across all vessel classes, from small bulk vessels to the largest containerships.

The collaboration agreement will enable current and future Silverstream customers to access Wärtsilä’s global service network for the maintenance of their Silverstream System installations.

Silverstream’s system has been shown to reduce fuel burn and associated emissions by 5 to 10%, depending on vessel type.

Speaking on the agreement, Lars Anderson, Director, Propulsion, Wärtsilä Marine, said: “At Wärtsilä we are committed to fully supporting our customers as they strive to reduce operating costs and improve the environmental sustainability impact of their operations. Today’s agreement enables us to facilitate the building of better vessels that meet tomorrow’s challenges today, and Silverstream are the ideal partners to help us realise this goal.”

CARPET OF MICROBUBBLES

The Silverstream System creates a carpet of microbubbles that coat the entire flat bottom of the vessel. This carpet reduces frictional resistance between the hull and the water, dramatically reducing fuel consumption and related emissions. The technology works in all maritime conditions, is not weather dependent, and does not constrain or negatively impact the normal operational profile of the vessel.

The system is designed and engineered as a fully integrated solution and consists of purpose-built steel cavities and high-performance compressors controlled by an on-board control and monitoring system.