DK’s ACS for Danish heavy lift ship

According to DK, this is the first installation of its patented air lubrication technology on an international commercial vessel. The company claims that this represents significant progression in the adoption of clean technology within the shipping industry.

ACS uses air bubbles in the boundary layer of the vessel to reduce frictional resistance between the water and the hull surface. The fuel efficiency generated is expected to approach 10%, depending on vessel type and size. The investment payback period for a typical system is expected to range between 18 months and three years.

Sea trials will be conducted by hydrodynamic research company HSVA and overseen by classification society Germanischer-Lloyd both pre and post-conversion to establish and benchmark relative fuel consumption and the associated emission profile. The retrofit of ACS on the multi purpose heavy lift vessel will take place in the third quarter of 2012, before potentially being rolled out across a fleet of six sister vessels.

Johan Wedell-Wedellsborg, chairman of Dannebrog Group, commented: “Our decision to install DK Group’s air cavity system onto one of our newbuild, multi-purpose vessel reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability as well as the future vision for our fleet. We believe that we have a responsibility to the environment as well as to implement a strategy that mitigates our exposure to rising bunker fuel prices. With a mixed fleet of 17 vessels within the Dannebrog Group of companies, including ro-ro, containers, cargo, heavy lift, products and chemical tankers, today’s announcement reflects our long-held tradition of delivering for customers through innovative and sustainable solutions that meet regulations, reduce fuel consumption and decrease environmental impact.”

Noah Silberschmidt, managing director of DK Group, added: “Dannebrog Group’s retrofit of the air cavity system is a landmark moment for the adoption of clean technology, and specifically air lubrication, into the mainstream shipping market. We have seen increased interest in the shipping industry to adopt innovative, high impact, marine clean technology due to impending regulation and ongoing commercial pressures to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs. Today’s announcement underscores the exceptional opportunity for the profitable implementation of clean technology solutions that can deliver genuine savings at a time when the industry needs it most.”