Armada Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Daehan Shipbuilding and Lloyd’s Register (LR) Asia, to develop and integrate Armada’s Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS) on a Suezmax tanker.
The parties will also seek approval in principle (AiP) for the tanker design concept under LR rules and IMO regulations. Daehan Shipbuilding forecasts increased market demand for Suezmax tanker vessels, driven by growing decarbonisation regulatory requirements. To meet these requirements, they have chosen to integrate Armada’s PALS technology at the design stage rather than as a retrofit, which is a deliberate move to ensure the emissions reduction solutions in from the outset and strengthen the vessel’s competitive market positioning.
Energy efficiency technologies are often evaluated using best-case projections on vessels and voyages that do not reflect the intended use case. This partnership with Daehan Shipbuilding and LR takes a different approach and aims to ensure Armada’s PALS is optimised for the design and operational realities of the Suezmax tankers.
Under the MoU, Daehan Shipbuilding and Armada will work on the design development, covering general arrangement, EEDI calculation with ALS, electrical load analysis, and full piping design for the system integration. LR Asia will conduct an independent drawing appraisal for AiP in accordance with its rules and IMO regulations, with the review expected to take approximately six weeks following submission. The project is anticipated to run for six months from June 2026, with scope for extension by mutual agreement.
Once the MoU is complete and AiP achieved, the design will be further developed with competitive market positioning in mind: cost-effective, class-approved, and built to meet the demands of an industry navigating increasingly stringent emissions regulations.
The partnership was introduced and brokered by Magnamare and ERMA Tech Group, who brought the parties together and facilitated the agreement.
Alex Routledge, CEO Armada Technologies, said: “At Armada our goal has always been to ensure each air lubrication system we build meets the requirements of the specific vessel and route it will be operating on. This partnership with Daehan Shipbuilding and Lloyd’s Register is an opportunity for us to exchange expertise and insights, and ensure that our system, EEDI calculations and electric load analysis are all fit for purpose onboard the new tanker vessel.”
Image: Alex Routledge, Armada Technologies; Seung-Gyu Jeong, Global Pre-Assurance Group Manager, LR and Dae-Seong Jeong, Deputy GM, Daehan Shipbuilding (source: Armada Technologies)
