Alex Routledge was recently interviewed for the article, “Air lubrication systems offer efficiency, but is the investment worthwhile?” written by Patricia McCarthy for the Professional Mariner.
Summarized from the article comments from Andrew Spiteri, PhD included:
“’I firmly believe that ALS is poised to be a pivotal technology in decarbonizing the maritime industry,’ said Andrew Spiteri, Ph.D., who manages the unit responsible for developing and implementing sustainable projects for Malta’s Climate Action Authority.
Simply put, an air lubrication system creates a layer of air under a ship to reduce resistance between its hull and the water it travels through. Reduction in drag improves fuel efficiency and lowers greenhouse gas emissions…”
During Alex Routledge’s interview he added:
“’Liverpool, U.K.-based Armada Technologies agreed that shipowners should expect to see a return on their ALS investment within about three years.’
Company CEO Alex Routledge said PALS underwent extensive testing in 2021 and 2022, and by the end of 2024, ‘we had a full-scale pilot deployment aboard the LNGC Kool Husky, and we are now going through an extensive 9- to 15-month in-service tuning and optimization phase on this live trading vessel.’
‘PALS was designed with practicality in mind. There are no compressors, and thus no requirement for crew to operate them. All the PALS options (fully passive, passive-ready and fully pumped systems) will provide enhanced control and adaptability at sea,’
Routledge said the maritime industry is actively adopting hull air lubrication systems, ‘primarily driven by mounting environmental regulations and decarbonization goals. Policies like the European Union Emission Trading System, which targets carbon reductions for ships docking at EU ports, and IMO’s decarbonization goals for 2030 and beyond, are significantly influencing this shift.’”
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