MINKE MARINE

A NEW LOW-COST APPROACH TO AIR LUBRICATION

Briefly:

The Minke Marine Air Lubrication System (MMALS) is new and unique in the ALS market. It is a
driven (not “passive”) “Micro Bubble” ALS which does not use compressors or blowers.
Using as much of the vessel’s existing hardware as possible, the low-cost system is simple to
use, physically robust, with consistent performance across different sailing states and weather
conditions.
The MMALS is operational on board a 55,000DWT General Cargo vessel. Installed in March
2025, the performance, of this relatively low-capacity installation, is excellent – see
below

New – Unique – Tested

Installation and Commissioning:

Working with partner Aitken Marine International using only three months engineering lead
time we completed; final design, drawing approval, fabrication and delivery for the DNV Classed
installation. Completed over 12 days of a normal vessel Dry Docking, the system worked as
designed, from the moment it was switched on. Note: The first time the system was switched
on and the first data collection was all by the crew – Minke was not on board (long story).

This installation was completed with only two small low-profile hull penetrations for air release, keeping the installation burden and cost to a minimum, causing minimal impact to the vessel and system OFF sailing performance.

12 Days – Two Hull Penetrations – Switch ON

Project Cost:

The complete project; 3D Scan to Commissioning and Performance Verification:

Cost – Less than $500,000

MMALS Performance:

Performance has been measured as a function of; Fuel Flow – Total and Main Engine, Torque and Speed Through the Water. Data has been collected at different times by the crew and Minke Marine. Performance assessment is based on the practice of short-term System ON / System OFF cycling, as described in DNV’s March 2025 Recommended Practices for ALS Performance Verification.

This installation is a relatively low-capacity MMALS – from an air volume and outlets (2) point of view, additionally the vessel is consistently slow steaming; <40% engine load. These factors notwithstanding, ON/OFF performance of the MMALS is exceptional and consistent across sailing states, clearly shown in the graphs below.

Small System – Slow Steaming – 7 months of Data

Gross 7% – Net 4% Increased Fuel Efficiency

Performance and value of the MMALS is exceptional amongst marine energy saving devices. Let us introduce this elegant, robust and affordable system to you.

For more information:

E-mail gbbcandy@minkemarine.com