Stena Tests Air Cushion Concept

Stena Teknik is using a 15m long ship prototype to evaluate the extent to which an air cushion can reduce the friction between a ship's hull and the water. Named Stena Airmax the 15 m technology demonstrator is a prototype for a 182 m full scale ship. The large scale model, which weighs around 25 tons, has been developed following very good results achieved in tests with small ship models. Five years ago, Stena Teknik initiated a development project in order to find a method of reducing a ship's water resistance, thus radically reducing energy utilzsation and fuel consumption. "The results of the tests carried out are very promising. Depending on the type of ship and speed, we expect energy savings of 20-30 percent, " says Ulf G. Ryder, President and CEO of Stena Bulk.

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