The Bubble Ship - Mitsubishi's New Green Ship Technology

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has developed a new bulk carrier able to reduce CO2 emissions by 25% using bubbles. Further, the Mitsubishi Air Lubrication (MAL) system will be included in the design of three grain carriers for Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) of the U.S.

The MAL system reduces frictional resistance between the vessel hull and seawater using air bubbles produced at the vessel bottom. According to Mitsubishi the ADM vessels, to be built by Oshima Shipbuilding of Nagasaki Japan, will also feature a high-efficiency hull form and a newly designed bow shape that will reduce wave-making resistances.To enhance propulsion, the ships will feature positioning fins forward of the propellers.

MHI developed the MALS as a key measure to reduce CO2 emissions from ships. ADM’s ships will be the first case in which MHI provides the system to another shipbuilder.

The three grain carriers will be 95,000 dwt vessels 237 meters in length. A shallow draft of 12.5m will help increase the energy savings and CO2 emission reduction efficiency by MALS.

The three bulk carriers are the first new shipbuilding order placed by ADM designed to accommodate new post-Panamax needs. Mitsubishi excepts to deliver the MAL equipment to Nagasaki in 2014.

Going forward MHI hopes to continue developing vessels which reduce CO2 emissions by focusing on development of “Eco-ship” systems and equipment.