Manta Marine Technologies (MMT) has signed a framework agreement with Foreship by RINA. Image Credit: MMT

• Manta Marine Technologies to handle full project delivery of the system
• Foreship stays on for CFD analysis and feasibility engineering
• Firms say the technology delivers net fuel savings of 3% to 8%
• Launched at SMM in Hamburg on Tuesday

Manta Marine Technologies (MMT) has signed a framework agreement with Foreship by RINA taking on full delivery of the design consultancy's air lubrication technology.

Under the deal the system will be offered as Manta Air Lubrication, with MMT responsible for the whole project chain, from feasibility studies, design, and engineering through to installation, commissioning, verification, and lifecycle support.

Foreship will remain involved at the feasibility stage, providing full-scale computational fluid dynamics analysis and specialist engineering to assess technical feasibility and set performance expectations.

The system, based on Foreship's design, is installed on more than 25 vessels and works by creating a controlled layer of air beneath the hull to cut frictional resistance.

The companies say typical net fuel savings range from 3% to 8%, depending on vessel type and operating profile, with the technology suited to both retrofits and newbuilds and particularly to larger vessels.

Air lubrication is a mature technology with modern air lubricaiton systems have been available since the 2010's and the concept itself understodd to be significantly older.

The partners say adoption has nevertheless been slowed by project complexity, integration challenges, and uncertainty over expected performance, which the end-to-end delivery model is intended to address.

"We have a strong belief in the potential of air lubrication to transform maritime sustainability," said Aleksander Askeland, CFO of Manta Marine Technologies, in a statement.

"By partnering with Foreship, we are ensuring that our customers receive a solution that is not only technically superior but can be seamlessly integrated."

Foreship's marine energy transition executive director Jan-Erik Rasanen said combining the consultancy's hydrodynamic know-how and CFD methodology with MMT's delivery track record would "help shipowners evaluate, implement, and realise the benefits of air lubrication technology with greater confidence."

Manta Air Lubrication was launched at SMM in Hamburg on Tuesday.