MOL invests in 13 Mari

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has invested in 13 Mari, the US-headquartered developer of ripple-shaped ‘Flowsmart’ elements that can be retrofitted to ships’ hulls to reduce drag.

Building on concepts that have been used in the shape of aircraft wings and aero parts for automobiles, the Flowsmart elements control the flow of water near the hull to reduce drag, thereby giving vessels improved fuel efficiency and stable navigation.

According to MOL, the ripple-shaped Flowsmart elements are expected to reduce GHG and fuel consumption by 3%-7% on vessels retrofitted with 10 to 20 of the elements, and ‘even more when combined with currently available energy-saving devices such as wind propulsion systems and various types of fins’.

Image: MOL and 13 Mari