Air lubrication cuts shipping fuel use—but only by a few percent

Air lubrication is gaining ground in the shipping industry as a way to cut fuel use. Hundreds of vessels, from LNG carriers to cruise ships, now use the technology. Yet its role remains modest—reducing consumption by just a few percentage points rather than driving major change. The system works by pumping air beneath a ship’s hull to lower friction. This approach suits large vessels with flat bottoms, high fuel burn, and long operational hours. For deep-sea ships still relying on liquid fuels, even a 3.5% net saving can make a difference.

The challenge lies in efficiency. Compressing, moving, and controlling the air consumes energy, raising doubts about overall fuel savings. Some designs, like those from Everllence and Silverstream, bypass this issue by using scavenge air from the main engine instead of separate compressors. Despite its benefits, air lubrication is not a core decarbonisation tool. It fits into a broader efficiency strategy but does not replace cleaner fuels or propulsion overhauls. The focus remains on whether the energy spent on air supply outweighs the friction reduction gains.

Air lubrication offers a practical efficiency boost for certain ships, particularly those with high fuel demands. The technology’s 3.5% net saving helps operators cut costs and emissions incrementally. However, its impact stays limited compared to larger shifts in maritime energy use.