Silverstream Air Lubrication System Shows 4.3% Bunker Savings, Gets LR Approval

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday February 5, 2015

Silverstream Technologies (Silverstream) and Shell Wednesday announced in an emailed statement that successful sea trials have been completed for a new air lubrication system that could achieve bunker savings of up to 5 percent.

Lloyds Register (LR) confirmed that during trials on the 40,000 deadweight tonne product tanker MT Amalienborg, the system achieved average fuel savings of 4.3 percent while in ballast and 3.8 percent on laden voyages.

But Shell and Silverstream said they expect a fully optimised system to achieve up to 5 percent.

The Silverstream air lubrication system produces a thin layer of "micro bubbles" underneath the ship reducing friction, and thus increasing fuel efficiency.

"Following this successful trial, we are confident that we can enhance the already significant savings that we have seen," said Noah Silberschmidt, Silverstream's CEO.

"We believe these results show that the Silverstream System can play a crucial role in supporting the shipping industry to increase operational and environmental efficiencies and reduce fuel costs."

The technology can be included in the design for newbuild ships or added to existing ones.

Shell funded and oversaw the retrofitting of Silverstream's system to the Dannebrog Rederei-owned, Stena Weco-operated MT Alienborg within 14 days.

Last year, Silverstream changed its name from DK Group which Silberschmidt said marked the beginning of an "exciting and defining time" for the company.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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