Air lubrication system provider Silverstream Technologies and design and engineering consultancy Houlder have signed a framework agreement.
This formalises their relationship and supports the shipping industry’s ongoing transition to a zero carbon future.
Silverstream is collaborating with Houlder on design and integration procedures for both newbuild and retrofit installations of Silverstream’s air lubrication system, the patented Silverstream System.
With demand growing for clean technology, the agreement will help to accelerate the deployment of the system.
This relationship builds upon the engineering expertise of Silverstream and supports the organisation’s aim for continuous improvement and innovation to maintain market leadership.
The move follows a period of growth for Silverstream, with six new team members joining with a range of engineering, naval architecture, and automation expertise.
Under the agreement, Houlder’s marine engineering personnel will complement Silverstream’s in-house teams to produce detailed information to support the naval architecture and the technology’s required class approvals for specific vessel projects.
Since 2010, Silverstream has conducted sea trials and validity testing with industry partners, such as Lloyd’s Register and Carnival, which culminated in the first commercial orders in 2017.
Noah Silberschmidt, CEO, Silverstream Technologies (pictured), commented: “Shipping’s challenges require bold solutions, and by working with the best partners to help the industry improve its efficiency standards and sustainability, Silverstream wants to have a positive impact and promote radical innovation and design as the new normal.
“The last year has been marked by a dramatic increase in demand for clean technologies, including the Silverstream System. This agreement with Houlder therefore gives us the assurance that we will be able to support every owner and operator that is interested in our solution, through the addition of extra capacity and engineering expertise that Houlder’s teams of respected experts will provide .”
Rupert Hare, CEO, Houlder, added: “As the incentive to de-carbonise and integrate environmental and social governance into business practices gathers pace, so too does the adoption of new and emerging technology. With so many new products and propositions continuously entering the market, technology providers like Silverstream, with proven, impactful systems, can face a difficult task in convincing customers that their innovations will perform as promised within the technical and operational specifications of the customer’s assets and trading profile.
“Underestimating the value of interfacing and design detailing at this crucial point can be a considerable setback – if the technology is not properly engineered and integrated, the achievable returns can be compromised. Our independent consultancy, combined with many years’ experience in ship design and engineering, enables us to support the effective installation of new systems, bridging between the technology provider and ship owner/operator to realise the best results for both of them.”
