Wärtsilä, and Silverstream Technologies, an air lubrication solution provider, have signed a licence and co-operation agreement for future sales and servicing of Silverstream’s system.
As an authorised sales and service partner, Wärtsilä will fully integrate Silverstream’s air lubrication system within its propulsion solutions.
By offering the Silverstream system as an integral part of Wärtsilä’s propulsion solution for newbuildings, compliance with the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) will be further improved, the company said.
Under the agreement, the Silverstream system will also be available through Wärtsilä’s sales channels for retrofit installations on existing vessels where Wärtsilä is the primary solution provider. The integrated Silverstream system is expected to realise synergies in capital and operational savings across the propulsion chain by increasing fuel efficiency, and optimising engine loading.
This new collaborative partnership will accelerate the deployment of air lubrication systems across all vessel classes.
Going forward, the collaboration agreement will enable current and future Silverstream customers, which includes cruise ship operators, to access Wärtsilä’s global service network for the maintenance of their installations.
Wärtsilä’s network of service centres, workshops, and service professionals is claimed to be the most extensive in the maritime industry, with 4,500 field service professionals located in 70 countries worldwide.
The system has been proven to reduce fuel burn and associated emissions by between 5 and 10%, depending on vessel type.
Speaking on the agreement, Lars Anderson, Director, Propulsion, Wärtsilä Marine, said: “At Wärtsilä we are committed to fully supporting our customers as they strive to reduce operating costs and improve the environmental sustainability impact of their operations. Today’s agreement enables us to facilitate the building of better vessels that meet tomorrow’s challenges today, and Silverstream are the ideal partners to help us realise this goal.”
Noah Silberschmidt, CEO, Silverstream Technologies, added: “Today’s agreement with Wärtsilä reinforces our position as the shipping industry’s leading clean technology manufacturer. In Wärtsilä we find a partner as committed as we are to achieving a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable maritime industry.
“With the global sulfur cap almost upon us and de-carbonisation targets on the horizon, the commercial case for proven clean technology has never been stronger. Now is the time for shipowners to take action to reduce their operational costs and their impact on the environment, and today’s agreement will help unlock the power of air lubrication technology for more vessels across our sector,” he said.
