Alfa Laval, a prominent player in maritime solutions, has inked the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the esteemed Korean shipyard, K Shipbuilding (KSB). The MOU paves the way for the integration of Alfa Laval’s OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication system into KSB’s potential newbuilding projects, particularly focusing on MR and LR1 Tankers.
This collaboration underscores the escalating market interest in OceanGlide as a compelling solution for enhancing energy efficiency and spearheading decarbonization efforts within the maritime industry.
Navigating Towards Decarbonization
K Shipbuilding aims to strategically employ OceanGlide to bolster a vessel’s energy efficiency and overall performance by mitigating frictional resistance during navigation, thanks to cutting-edge air lubrication technology.
OceanGlide aligns seamlessly with KSB’s efficiency goals, utilizing fluidics integrated with air lubrication to achieve up to a remarkable 12% reduction in a vessel’s propulsion power consumption. This directly translates to decreased fuel usage, diminished CO2 emissions, and improved compliance with environmental standards such as EEDI, EEXI, and CII.
Rajiv Sarin, Head of Air Lubrication at Alfa Laval, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “We are proud to work with KBS as our business partner in Korea. This agreement signifies the market’s growing trust in Alfa Laval as a reliable partner. It also highlights the recognition of our solutions as being innovative and efficient.”
Tae-Hyun Koh, CTO of K Shipbuilding, shares the enthusiasm, stating, “OceanGlide is an innovative solution that helps improve ship operation efficiency, and we expect it to align well with our goals of developing and building competitive ships.”
Technology at the Helm
OceanGlide, utilizing fluidic technology, creates streamlined airflow sections on a vessel’s flat bottom. Each section features an independently regulated fluidic band that generates a controlled air layer, ensuring optimal efficiency, maximum coverage, and reduced compressor power. This high efficiency not only guarantees an effective air layer with fewer compressors but also allows flexible positioning throughout the vessel.
This innovative technology signifies a significant leap towards energy conservation and compliance with environmental regulations, marking a crucial stride towards sustainable maritime operations.