They Make Big Ships Greener – With a Million Tiny Bubbles

A UK-based company developed a bubble-generating device that reduces the friction between ship and sea, and consequently, fuel consumption and emissions.

Silverstream Technologies found an innovative way to counter the friction problem with its Silverstream System, an air lubrication device that generates millions of tiny bubbles, each just a millimeter across, forming a carpet of air bubbles that flows from the bow to the stern of the ship. The air needs to be compressed in a way that bubbles flow in a steady stream along a flat-bottomed vessel.

According to Noah Silberschmidt, founder and CEO of Silverstream Technologies, this technology can reduce fuel consumption by 5 to 10%. The savings are more important than they appear: shipping firms can spend between $5 and $10 million on fuel per year, per vessel. Cruise lines Norwegian and Carnival have installed Silverstream’s devices on some of their vessels. More installations are expected soon.