Norway’s Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC) is committing to air lubrication retrofits as part of its decarbonisation drive.
The Oslo-listed owner said it has retrofitted its youngest Cabu caustic soda and dry cargo ship with a Silversteram Technologies system, among other energy-saving improvements.
The 80,500-dwt Ballard (built 2017) has now completed dry dock and sea trials after the installations.
The Ballard is the first KCC vessel to adopt air lubrication, and one of the first in the tanker and bulker sectors, KCC said.
The Silverstream system uses air-release units along the flat bottom of the hull to create a uniform layer of microbubbles to reduce friction and save fuel and emissions.
Other efficiency retrofits for the vessel included a WE Tech shaft generator to convert rotational energy to electricity, a Becker Mewis Duct to improve propeller performance and the use of silicon paint.
The measures should result in an energy efficiency improvement of 15%, KCC said.
The shipowner plans to fit the Silverstream system on one of its Cleanbu oil product and dry cargo carriers in November.
Chief executive Engebret Dahm said the moves demonstrated the company’s determination to be a frontrunner in decarbonisation.
Team expanding
London-based Silverstream has recently mounted a major expansion of its leadership team.
The latest to join the company was Catriona Savage, the new chief technology officer.
Her addition follows the hiring of chief commercial officer Alistair Mackenzie.
The company already has big names like MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co and Carnival Corp on board as clients.
