AIRCOAT: Air Induced friction Reducing ship COATing

The AIRCOAT project promotes a groundbreaking passive air lubrication technology with a high potential to revolutionise the ship-coating sector by reducing energy consumption and ship emissions.

The Air Induced friction Reducing ship COATing (AIRCOAT) project aims to develop a passive air lubrication technology inspired by the Salvinia effect. Applying the AIRCOAT technology to ship-hull surfaces will produce a thin permanent air layer when submerged in water. This will reduce the overall frictional resistance, while acting as a physical barrier between water and the hull surface. In addition to reducing energy consumption, the air barrier will inhibit the attachment of maritime organisms (biofouling).

The AIRCOAT technology has the potential to reduce energy consumption and emissions of waterborne transport, making it more sustainable. This three year project started on 1 May 2018 and received a total grant of 5.3 million Euros from the European Commission within the Horizon 2020, addressing the topic: Innovations for energy efficiency and emission control in waterborne transport.

Further Information can be found on the  project's website