6% Fuel Savings: How ESAL Could Slash Shipping’s Emissions and Costs
Everllence’s Engine Supported Air Lubrication system cuts fuel use by up to 6%.
A new technology promising to cut fuel consumption by up to 6% could offer the shipping industry a lifeline amid rising costs and tightening emissions regulations. Everllence’s Engine Supported Air Lubrication (ESAL) system, unveiled this week, integrates air lubrication with a vessel’s main engine to reduce hull resistance and improve efficiency.
ESAL, according to Everllence, delivers precisely that, without waiting for industry-wide fuel transitions or finalised IMO rules.
How ESAL Works: A Technical Breakdown
However, Everllence’s ESAL takes this concept further by integrating the process with the main engine’s air supply.
“Air lubrication reduces resistance between a vessel’s hull and the water,” explained Per Cato, Senior Vice President and Head of Head of Engineering Two-Stroke-Stroke at Everllence. ESAL, Everllence argues, does exactly that.
Why Efficiency is the First Step in Decarbonisation
Everllence’s white paper, “A leap in vessel energy efficiency advancement with engine-supported air lubrication,” positions energy efficiency as the most practical first step in shipping’s transition to net zero. The reasoning is straightforward: reducing fuel consumption lowers emissions today, regardless of what fuels or technologies dominate tomorrow.
“The maritime energy transition must begin with reducing energy demand,” said Bjarne Foldager, Head of Two-Head of Two-Stroke Business at Everllence. “Solutions that improve efficiency today will retain their value under any credible future framework. Efficiency improvements are therefore not an alternative to the transition of fuel but a prerequisite for making it feasible.”
“Less fuel consumed leads directly to lower absolute emissions, lower compliance costs, and lower exposure to volatility in both fuel prices and regulatory costs. ESAL is therefore not only a technology but a strategic response to uncertainty in the regulatory landscape.”
Per Cato·Senior Vice President and Head of Head of Engineering Two-Stroke-Stroke, Everllence
The business case for ESAL is already compelling, according to Everllence. By reducing a vessel’s fuel consumption, the system lowers emissions, compliance costs, and exposure to fuel price fluctuations. These savings can accumulate significantly over a vessel’s operating life, making ESAL a sound investment for shipowners looking to future-proof their fleets.
Everllence has already conducted multiple onboard trials of ESAL across several vessels, with results confirming the technology’s potential. “We are confident in both the technology and the efficiency improvements delivered by ESAL,” Cato added. “The trials have demonstrated consistent performance, reinforcing our belief that this is a viable solution for the industry.”
The introduction of ESAL comes at a critical juncture for shipping.
For shipowners, the appeal of ESAL lies in its immediacy. Unlike alternative fuels, which may take years to scale, ESAL can be integrated into existing vessels with relative ease. This makes it an attractive option for operators seeking to reduce their environmental impact without overhauling their fleets or waiting for regulatory clarity.
Moreover, the technology’s ability to cut fuel consumption by up to 6% could have a significant impact on operating costs. With fuel accounting for a substantial portion of a vessel’s expenses, even modest reductions can translate into millions of dollars in savings over time. For smaller operators, these savings could be the difference between profitability and financial strain.
Everllence’s white paper also highlights the broader implications of efficiency-focused technologies. By reducing a vessel’s energy demand, ESAL not only lowers emissions but also decreases the amount of fuel required for each voyage. This, in turn, reduces the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels, accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future.
Looking ahead, the adoption of ESAL could signal a shift in how the shipping industry approaches decarbonisation. While alternative fuels remain a long-term goal, technologies that deliver immediate efficiency gains are likely to play a crucial role in the near term. For shipowners, this means that investing in solutions like ESAL today could yield benefits far into the future, regardless of how the regulatory landscape evolves.
As the industry continues to grapple with the challenges of decarbonisation, one thing is clear: efficiency will be a cornerstone of any viable solution. With ESAL, Everllence has positioned itself at the forefront of this movement, offering a technology that is both practical and future-proof. For an industry under pressure, that may be the most compelling argument of all.
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