Trials of Silverstream complete on new RoRo
The Eco Valencia is the first of nine Grimaldi Green 5th Generation (GG5G) designs to be installed with the Silverstream system. Four vessels with the technology on board have already been built at China Merchants Group’s Jinling Shipyard, the Eco Valencia, Eco Barcelona, Eco Livorno and Eco Savona. Tests are planned for the Eco Barcelona soon.
Noah Silberschmidt, chief executive of Silverstream Technologies, said the company was delighted to have reached this milestone with the Grimaldi Group. “The recorded savings figure of 5.1% exceeded initial predictions and shows that Grimaldi’s vision to install our air lubrication technology as a fuel and emissions reduction solution has paid off,” he said.
The technology produces a thin layer of micro-bubbles over the flat bottom of the hull, reducing frictional resistance and improving operational and environmental efficiencies.
The GG5G RoRo carriers have a hybrid propulsion system and the addition of clean technologies further positions them as the eco-ships of the future. “The successful trial of the Silverstream System and the CO2 reduction that it generates is an important step in Grimaldi Group’s aim to lead on shipping sustainability,” said Alberto Portolano, project manager of AirLub Design and Integration, Grimaldi Group.
As well as the nine Grimaldi Group vessels, Silverstream is also installing systems on board Grimaldi Group subsidiary Finnlines’ three newbuild GG5G RoRos and two newly ordered RoPax vessels.
