MMT and Foreship Partner on Air Lubrication

Manta Marine Technologies (MMT) and Foreship by RINA have signed a framework agreement to strengthen the delivery of air lubrication technology to the maritime industry. The partnership will see MMT take full responsibility for the Manta Air Lubrication system, which is based on Foreship's design.

Jan-Erik Rasanen, Marine Energy Transition Executive Director at Foreship, stated that his firm has refined its air lubrication solution through extensive research and operational experience. He explained that combining Foreship's hydrodynamic expertise with MMT's delivery capabilities will help shipowners implement the technology with greater confidence.

Technology and Efficiency Gains

MMT describes Manta Air Lubrication as a proven energy-efficiency solution, already installed on more than 25 vessels. The technology works by creating a controlled layer of air beneath a ship's hull, which reduces frictional resistance. This process helps operators lower fuel consumption and the associated emissions.

The system is applicable to both retrofit installations and newbuild projects. It is particularly well-suited to large vessels, where it can deliver significant efficiency gains. According to the source, typical net fuel savings from the technology range from 3 percent to 8 percent. The exact figure depends on the vessel type and its operating profile.

Partnership Structure and Services

Under the new agreement, MMT will manage the full project delivery cycle. This responsibility spans from initial feasibility studies and design engineering to installation, commissioning, verification, and lifecycle support.

Foreship will continue to provide specialist engineering support during the feasibility phase of projects. This support includes full-scale Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The firm's role is to help evaluate technical feasibility, optimize the system configuration, and establish realistic performance expectations for shipowners.

Aleksander Askeland, CFO of Manta Marine Technologies, expressed strong belief in the potential of air lubrication to transform maritime sustainability. He said the technology is an excellent fit for MMT's portfolio of intelligent green technologies. "By partnering with Foreship, we are ensuring that our customers receive a solution that is not only technically superior but can be seamlessly integrated," Askeland added.

Industry Adoption and Goals

Air lubrication technology holds significant potential to support shipowners' decarbonization efforts and help with regulatory compliance. However, the source notes that adoption across the industry has often been slow.

The new partnership between MMT and Foreship aims specifically to address the challenges that have slowed this adoption. The goal is to support wider use of the technology across the maritime industry. Ultimately, the collaboration seeks to help shipowners reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions, and improve their overall operational efficiency. The system is installed on more than 25 vessels.