Installation of second-generation air lubrication technology will support TUI Cruises in accelerating its decarbonisation goals
LIVERPOOL, UK, (11 February 2026): Armada Technologies, a provider of a next-generation air lubrication system (ALS) has signed an agreement with TUI Cruises to install its Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS) on the cruise ship Mein Schiff 6. TUI Cruises is a joint venture of Hanover, Germany-based TUI Group and Miami, US-based Royal Caribbean Group.
Mein Schiff 6 was built in 2017 with a gross tonnage of 98,785 and capacity for 2,534 passengers across 15 decks.
The system will be installed by Q1 2027 when the vessel is expected to dry dock in Singapore. Through the deal, Armada will help TUI Cruises advance its decarbonization goals and improve operational efficiency.
TUI Cruises will utilize Armada’s second-generation Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS), which functions without the need for air compressors. Using the vessel’s forward motion and surrounding water flow, PALS generates a fine air–water mixture that reduces hull resistance, maintains efficiency even in rough conditions, and minimizes auxiliary power use. The system also offers a broader operating range than conventional air lubrication systems, delivering consistent performance across different speeds, drafts, and sea states.
Adoption of Armada’s technology onboard the cruise vessel will result in enhanced fuel efficiency, reduced GHG emissions and support compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) certification and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings. It will also lower lifetime operating costs, compared to other ALS with reduced inspections and service needs.
Armada Technologies has pursued comprehensive independent verification of its technology’s performance across a wide, variable range of operational conditions. This includes cavitation tunnel testing, model tank testing on two distinct hull forms, and extensive collaborative research with Liverpool John Moores University’s Global Centre for Maritime Innovation. Additionally, the first installation of the PALS system on the Kool Husky, an LNG carrier owned by CoolCo, is undergoing a DNV long-term independent evaluation program at sea. This testing phase is designed to accumulate performance data across a wide range of operational conditions, including various speeds, drafts, and sea states. Furthermore, PALS has received design and installation approvals from RINA, DNV and ABS.
Speaking on the announcement, Alex Routledge, CEO of Armada Technologies, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with TUI Cruises, one of the industry’s most forward-thinking operators, to deliver tangible efficiency and sustainability gains. This agreement reflects growing confidence in our Passive Air Lubrication System and its proven ability to deliver real performance improvements at sea.”
Christian Lerche, Director Fleet Operations & Health at TUI Cruises added: “Our path to net zero requires working with partners who share our focus on practical, scalable innovation. Armada’s Passive Air Lubrication System offers a compelling opportunity to enhance vessel efficiency and reduce emissions, and we’re pleased to be taking this important step together onboard one of, our vessels.”
About Armada Technologies
Armada Technologies is advancing maritime sustainability with its Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS), a retrofit-ready innovation that injects a layer of bubbles beneath a ship’s hull. This layer reduces drag and hydrodynamic resistance, allowing vessels to cut down on fuel consumption and emissions without the need for major structural modifications or prolonged downtime.
PALS is engineered for reliable operation under varied conditions, requiring less maintenance and eliminating the need for compressors or extra crew. Unlike conventional systems, PALS avoids ‘off’ conditions that increase drag and allows for precise environmental adjustment, as each unit can be tuned independently. Its compressor-free, passive design is a first for the industry and delivers greater energy efficiency in achieving air lubrication to the system. Visit: www.armada-technologies.com
About TUI Cruises
TUI Cruises GmbH is one of the leading cruise providers in the German-speaking region. The joint venture between TUI AG and the US cruise company Royal Caribbean Group employs around 750 people in Hamburg and Berlin. The Mein Schiff brand operates a fleet of 8 ships (Mein Schiff 1 to Mein Schiff 7 & Mein Schiff Relax / bed capacity: approx. 22,800). In 2026, Mein Schiff Flow, a sister ship to Mein Schiff Relax, will join the fleet. The Mein Schiff fleet offers contemporary sea vacations in the premium segment. Since the end of 2020, the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises brand, with currently five ships, has also been part of TUI Cruises GmbH. The fleet includes the two luxury cruise ships EUROPA and EUROPA 2 as well as the expedition ships of the HANSEATIC class. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the leading cruise brand in the luxury and expedition sector in the German-speaking region with a 130-year history. TUI Cruises operates one of the most modern and environmentally and climate-friendly fleets worldwide. Visit: http://www.meinschiff.com and https://www.meinschiff.com/de/nachhaltigkeit
