MSC invests in new efficiency solution to reduce emissions from fleet

GENEVA : To further improve efficiency of its fleet, MSC will be deploying an air lubrication solution, the Silverstream System, on a substantial portion of its newbuild pipeline.

The technology behind this air lubrication system allows the company to achieve significant savings in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by helping the ship move more smoothly through the water.

The Silverstream System creates a “blanket” of air bubbles across the surface of the vessel’s hull, reducing resistance created by the hull as it glides through the sea. In addition to energy and emissions savings, this air lubrication system also helps minimise noise, vibration and fouling.

Giuseppe Gargiulo, Head of Newbuildings at MSC’s ship management company in Sorrento, Italy, said: “As part of our significant efforts to further improve our environmental performance, we are continuously on the look-out for new innovative solutions that could help us achieve efficiency gains. Air lubrication technology is one of the proven technologies that can help ships to achieve fuel savings and reduce energy losses. With the right hull design, the substantial reduction in carbon emissions that the Silverstream System can offer perfectly matches our ambition to fit our fleet with the latest technologies available helping us move closer to a zero-carbon future.”

According to Silverstream, a significant reduction of 1.6 million tonnes in carbon emissions could be achieved over the vessels’ lifecycle as a direct result of installing the system onboard. In addition, MSC could see an estimated fuel saving cost of over EUR 257 million over the same period of time.