source : armada technology

Founded in 2021 by maritime industry veterans Alex Routledge and Roger Armson, Armada Technologies is focused on solving one of the shipping industry’s most pressing challenges: energy inefficiency. With the global shipping industry accounting for a significant portion of global carbon emissions, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. Armada’s core innovation aims to dramatically reduce drag on vessels by creating a layer of air bubbles along a ship’s hull. This air lubrication reduces friction between the hull and the water, thereby improving fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and cutting operating costs for shipping companies.

Meet the Founders: Alex Routledge and Roger Armson

Armada Technologies was co-founded by Alex Routledge, a former naval officer with over a decade of experience in maritime engineering, and Roger Armson, a seasoned engineer with a background in energy efficiency and sustainable technologies. Their combined expertise in both the technical and operational aspects of the maritime industry has been a driving force behind the company’s innovation. Routledge’s leadership and vision for a greener maritime future, alongside Armson’s technical expertise, have allowed the company to develop a product that could reshape the maritime industry’s approach to energy efficiency.

source : armada technology

A Game-Changing Product: Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS)

At the heart of Armada’s technological offering is its Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS), which reduces friction between a ship’s hull and the water by introducing a continuous layer of air bubbles. This reduces drag, resulting in substantial fuel savings and lower CO2 emissions. In addition to environmental benefits, the system also offers economic advantages for shipping companies, as the reduction in fuel consumption can translate into significant cost savings over time. The PALS system is scalable and adaptable, making it an ideal solution for both new builds and existing fleets.

The system works through an integrated array of air compressors and air channels installed along the ship’s hull, allowing air to be distributed across the surface in a controlled manner. The outcome is a smoother ride through the water, which translates into reduced fuel consumption and a more eco-friendly operation.

Seed Funding and Investors

Armada Technologies, has successfully raised $5 million in funding to support the development of its innovative air lubrication system and counts industry players as well as sustainability focused funds among its investors and partners. These include  Cool Company Management Ltd. (CoolCo) (NYSE : CLCO), Ecochlor, Inc, Future Planet Capital, through its Blue Ocean Fund, and Founders Factory, through the Blue Action Accelerator. Armada also has support from the Oxford entrepreneurial network, having Oxford Seed Fund participate in the round.

The funds will be used to enhance the company’s research and development efforts, expand its team, and deploy its air lubrication system on a larger scale. Armada’s leadership team is optimistic that this financial backing will enable them to accelerate the commercialization of their technology and make significant strides in reducing the carbon footprint of the global shipping industry.

This funding reflects a broader trend of increasing investment in sustainable solutions across various industries, including shipping, which is under pressure to comply with stricter environmental regulations. With growing interest in green technologies, Armada is well-positioned to capitalize on the maritime industry’s shift toward sustainability.

The Bigger Picture

As the maritime industry navigates the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is crucial to adopt proven efficiency-enhancing technologies while alternative fuels continue to be researched and validated. Solutions like Armada’s air lubrication system, alongside innovations such as wind foils, play a vital role in driving immediate fuel savings and lowering emissions across the global fleet. By integrating these technologies, shipowners can achieve measurable decarbonization gains today, ensuring compliance with tightening regulations while contributing to a more sustainable future for maritime transport.

source :

https://armada-technologies.com/
https://armada-technologies.com/news/
https://www.marinelink.com/news/armada-raises-million-seed-funding-514049
https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/news/eu-maritime-transport

Contributor : Dyah Ayuning Tyas
Reviewer : Imam Buchari