Odfjell Ship Management has partnered with Alfa Laval by selecting the Alfa Laval OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication system to be installed on one of their tankers.
Alfa Laval OceanGlide is the name of Alfa Laval’s newly acquired air lubrication system, which is based on patented fluidic technology. This technology is the latest addition to Alfa Laval’s sustainable portfolio.
Alfa Laval has signed an agreement with Odfjell, a chemical tanker company, to install OceanGlide on one of their tankers later this year.
OceanGlide integrates fluidic technology into air lubrication to optimise energy saving. This patented and class-approved system utilises fluidic oscillators to generate an even layer of micro air bubbles across a vessel’s entire flat bottom, reducing friction and drag. By reducing the vessel’s resistance, the OceanGlide system offers a method for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Anders Lindmark, Business Unit President of Heat & Gas Systems at Alfa Laval, commented: “We are delighted that Odfjell has selected OceanGlide to enhance their vessel’s energy efficiency. We strive to develop and bring innovative and environment-friendly technologies, such as OceanGlide, to our customers which support them in meeting their decarbonisation targets and enable them to sail efficiently.”
Erik Hjortland, Vice President of Technology at Odfjell, added: “Odfjell has installed more than 130 energy-saving devices on its vessels since 2014. In Q1 2023 we reported a historical low carbon intensity – more than 50% below the IMO baseline for our fleet. Our decarbonisation efforts do not stop with this achievement – now the time has come to start deploying more enhanced technologies. We believe fluidic air lubrication technology is a natural next step for us, and we look forward to deploying the OceanGlide system to further reduce our carbon intensity.”
Mr Hjortland continued: “The unique configuration of bands into sections for a regulated flow of air bubbles is a distinguishing feature of the OceanGlide system. This set-up allows for precise control and optimisation of power consumption, and we look forward to documenting its energy-saving effect on our chemical tankers.”
The OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication system’s high efficiency in producing bubbles not only ensures an effective air layer with fewer compressors but also provides the added advantage of conveniently positioning them anywhere on board.
The system requires no structural modifications or vessel recertification, which makes it ideal for retrofitting as well as for new builds. The fluidic bands, designed with a low profile and no moving parts, can be configured underneath the ship at any shipyard with ease.
Air lubrication technology is recognized by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as an ‘Innovative Energy Efficiency Technology’ to lower carbon emissions. The technology supports compliance with Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the reduction of carbon intensity to meet IMO’s carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) requirements.
