The Damen Air Cavity System (DACS) has once again demonstrated its fuel saving credentials during an independent verification undertaken by Lloyd’s Register (LR).
DACS’ efficiency boosting potential had earlier been confirmed by classification society RINA. These latest findings offer evidence of the potential of air lubrication technology to lower both fuel consumption and emissions.
DACS is the result of a collaboration between Damen Shipyards and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). The air cavity system maintains a thin layer of air over the flat bottom of the vessel’s hull, lowering resistance in the water and, thereby, fuel consumption. In 2024, Damen installed the DACS system to Amisco’s cargo vessel Danita in Estonia. During Danita’s sea trials, Damen collected a range of data on the vessel’s performance. Independent verification of this information by RINA confirmed that DACS enabled the vessel to make significant savings in fuel consumption (6-7%).
To add weight to the findings, Damen wanted a second opinion. Its next step was to provide Lloyd’s Register with the same data. With this, Lloyd’s performed a further independent verification, applying its own methodologies.
LR’s findings were similar to those of RINA, demonstrating that, at the vessel’s typical operating speeds, DACS enabled a reduction in fuel consumption by between 7-8%.
With this increased fuel efficiency comes a considerable reduction in emissions. This paves the way for more straightforward compliance with environmentally focused regulations such as the EU ETS, CII and EEXI.
Marcel Onink, MD Damen Green Solution said: “We’re very pleased with this second, independent verification from Lloyd’s Register. The results confirm our expectations and back up the verification earlier undertaken by RINA. Such findings highlight the potential for air lubrication to increase vessel efficiency and reduce environmental impact.”
Rutger van Dam, business development, Damen Green Solutions, added: “With these considerable savings in fuel, DACS offers vessel owners a reduced emissions operation with a rapid return on investment within approximately three years of installation.”
Maarten Veenstra, LR Business Development Manager, said: “In having DACS verified by more than one classification society, Damen offers the market increased confidence in the potential of air lubrication. Given the current challenges posed to maritime operators by a range of environmentally focused regulations, there is a clear argument to be made for investing in energy saving technologies with proven credentials.”
Image: Damen Air Cavity System (source: Damen Shipyards)
