Reduce carbon emissions | Vale receives the world's first ore ship using air lubrication technology

SMM7: air lubrication technology helps Vale further reduce greenhouse gas emissions during shipping by artificially generating bubbles under the hull. The technology has been used on the 325000 dwt Victoria Ocean (Sea Victoria), a Guaibamax ship. The 10 compressors installed on the deck inject air into the 20 devices at the bottom of the hull, which form a layer of air bubbles at the bottom of the ship, which can reduce friction between the hull and water, thereby reducing fuel consumption, thereby reducing carbon emissions. The Victoria Ocean, which is now on its way to Brazil, is the world's first ore ship to use air-lubricated technology.

The Vale shipping team revealed that if the test is successful, the air lubrication technology is likely to be extended to other ships in the charter fleet responsible for transporting Vale ore. According to conservative estimates, the technology will reduce fuel consumption by 5 to 8 per cent and is expected to reduce emissions from Vale's maritime transport of iron ore by 4.4 per cent a year. " Said Rodrigo Bemelio (Rodrigo Bermelho), technical manager of Vale Shipping.

The 10 compressors installed on the deck inject air into the 20 devices at the bottom of the hull, which form a layer of air bubbles at the bottom of the ship.

Air lubrication technology is provided by British manufacturer Silverstream. Vale is working with (ITV) of the Vale Institute of Technology and Pan Ocean, the Korean shipowner, to apply this technology to a very large ore carrier, the (VLOC), which specializes in transporting Vale iron ore. The Guaibamax ship is designed by Shanghai Shipbuilding Research and Design Institute, which is also responsible for the integration of air lubrication technology. The first Guaibamax ship with air lubrication technology was built by Chinese company Jiangsu New Times Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and the suitability of the technology has been taken into account in the construction process. The installation of the air lubrication device was completed by Youlian Shipyard (Shekou) Co., Ltd., located in Shenzhen, China. the whole installation process took 35 days and was completed on June 28. Yes.

The use of air lubrication technology is part of Vale's Eco-Shipping Plan, which aims to help companies meet the challenge of reducing carbon emissions, in line with the direction of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (IMO). Last year, Vale announced that it was committed to achieving carbon neutralization of direct ("scope one") and indirect ("scope two") emissions by 2050, and reducing "range three" emissions by 15% by 2035. Given that Vale does not own ships, emissions from shipping fall into the category of "scope III" emissions. These emission reduction targets are in line with the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement.

The workers receive the compressor. A total of 10 such compressors are installed on the deck of the Victoria Ocean, which inject air into the bottom of the hull. In the device.

The technology has been used on the 325000 dwt Victoria Ocean (Sea Victoria), a Guaibamax ship.

Rotor sail

Vale recently announced that it has launched the world's first ore ship with rotor sails. The ship, also built in China, is scheduled to arrive in Brazil at the end of this month. Similar to the air lubrication technology, the rotor sail technology is also used in a Guaibamax ship. The ship is equipped with five rotor sails, which will increase energy efficiency by as much as 8 per cent, thereby reducing emissions by up to 3400 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year. If the trial operation proves effective, the technology is expected to be used for at least 40 per cent of the ships in the fleet, which will reduce emissions from Vale's sea transport of iron ore by nearly 1.5 per cent a year. The rotor sails are cylindrical, each with a diameter of 4 meters and a height of 24 meters, which is equivalent to a seven-story building. During the operation, due to the Magnus effect, the rotor sail will rotate at different speeds according to the ship's environment and operating conditions, resulting in a pressure difference that pushes the ship forward.

In June, Vale also signed a memorandum of understanding with 23 companies to start research on ammonia as an alternative to marine fuel. In addition, Vale has been preparing for the introduction of marine fuel alternatives. Dozens of second-generation Valemax already in operation are designed with space to install LNG systems in the future, including a subdeck compartment for LNG tanks that can be used throughout the voyage. The Eco-Shipping Project is developing a multi-fuel tank that can store and consume not only liquefied natural gas but also methanol and ammonia in the future.