Shipbuilding group Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has made an important step for his Air Lubrication System MALS. The japanese classification society[ds_preview] ClassNK has now completed the EEDI appraisal of the vessel »Harvest Frost«, the world’s first post-panamax bulk carrier fitted with MALS. Mitsubishi developed the system to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions of vessels. The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) is a tool to motivate shipowners to invest in an efficient fleet.
»Harvest Frost« was constructed by Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. for ADM Harvest Shipping in accordance to ClassNK rules and guidance. Developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with support of ClassNK’s Joint R&D for Industry Program, MALS uses specialized blowers to create a layer of bubbles that flow along the bottom of a hull to improve fuel efficiency by reducing frictional resistance.
While EEDI is calculated and evaluated primarily based on hull form, ship speed, and engine efficiency, the IMO has also established guidelines for including the effect of innovative new technologies, such as MALS, in the verification and calculation of a vessel’s EEDI. The appraisal and certification of the EEDI of the MALS-equipped »Harvest Frost« is understood to be the first time that the effect such an innovative technology has been evaluated part of a vessel’s EEDI, the classification society said in a statement. »ClassNK has supported the development of EEDI regulations throughout the deliberation and enforcement stages at the IMO. We carried out the very first EEDI evaluations as part of the deliberation process at the IMO, and today have carried out EEDI certifications for over 150 vessels« the company stated.
