Silverstream signs MoU with Yiu Lian Dockyards

China repair yard Yiu Lian Dockyards, in Shenzhen, has signed an MoU with Silverstream to add air lubrication retrofit installations to its portfolio.

Silverstream systems use a layer of air micro-bubbles to reduce friction between the hull and seawater, enabling efficiency gains of up to 10% net of the air compressor system’s power needs. Some claim bubble lubrication was invented by the US Navy in the 1950s to reduce underwater noise and screen surface vessels from the attention of submarines. But patents in fact go back to the mid-1800s.

The regular five-year dockings of LNG carriers, a specialty at Yiu Lian, are thought to provide the perfect interval for the ten-day installation of a Silverstream air lubrication system.

Concerns have emerged over the ‘theft’ of intellectual property by China recently, with ship technology analysts noting parallel Chinese technologies apparently having been developed not long after a western company has signed deals with a Chinese manufacturer.

But for OEMs, this is considered a price of market access. Yiu Lian has docked 28 LNG carriers just this year, and 734 vessels of all types over the past three years, opening up a large potential market for Silverstream.

“Collaborating with leading shipyards is key to ensuring that more shipowners can benefit from our air lubrication technology, which enhances fuel efficiency and reduces emissions,” said Noah Silberschmidt, CEO, Silverstream Technologies.

“Each year, we see growing interest from owners in retrofitting clean technologies on the vessels that visit our yards,” said Xu Rong, Vice GM of Yiu Lian. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving fuel have become top priorities for shipowners and operators. Silverstream is the ideal solution... particularly the LNG carriers we regularly service.”