Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Develops Bulk Carrier Enabling 25% Reduction in CO2 Emissions

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has developed a new bulk carrier which will enable reductions in CO2 emissions by about 25% compared with conventional averaged bulk carriers. As the first commercial application of the new design, MHI will provide its conceptual design and green technologies to three grain carriers to be built for Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) of the U.S. MHI’s new bulk carrier design adopts the company’s proprietary Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System (MALS), which reduces frictional resistance between the vessel hull and seawater using air bubbles produced at the vessel bottom, along with high-efficiency hull form and enhanced propulsion system. Besides the MALS, which uses blowers to create air bubbles under the vessel bottom, the three grain carriers will also feature a newly designed bow shape that will reduce wave-making resistances.

The three grain carriers will be 95,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) vessels: 237 meters (m) in length, 40m in width, and 12.5m in designed draught. Delivery of equipment related to MALS system from MHI is slated for 2014. ADM is one of the U.S.’s top-ranking grain companies. The three bulk carriers, which mark the first new shipbuilding order placed by ADM, are designed to accommodate new post-Panamax needs.
Via – [Greenlaunches]