AirHull Technology Sources : https://www.pascaltech.com/

Fuel costs, emission targets, and efficiency limits are constant challenges for today’s boatbuilders and ship operators. Traditional hull designs waste massive amounts of energy overcoming water resistance, while electric vessels often struggle with limited range and performance. Pascal Technologies tackles these pain points head-on with breakthrough air-based solutions that reduce drag, extend range, and cut fuel use paving the way for a cleaner, more efficient maritime future.

Pascal Technologies is a Norwegian maritime-tech company developing air-based technologies to dramatically reduce fuel consumption and emissions in boats and ships. With proprietary solutions like AirHull for planning vessels and Air Lubrication Systems (ALS) for larger ships, Pascal aims to disrupt the maritime industry’s energy paradigm and accelerate the shift toward sustainable transportation on water.

Pascal Technologies was established in Oslo, Norway, with a clear mission to transform the maritime industry through sustainable innovation. The company focuses on solving one of shipping’s biggest challenges, energy efficiency, by reducing drag and fuel consumption across vessels. Its technologies build on more than 15 years of research and development in hydrodynamics and naval architecture, particularly around the use of air to reduce hull friction. Over time, Pascal has successfully tested prototypes, such as an 8-meter electric demonstration boat, and has partnered with shipbuilders like Nimbus Group / ALUKIN and Moen Marin to bring its innovations closer to commercial reality. Positioned at the intersection of maritime engineering and green technology, Pascal aims to make both new builds and retrofits more energy-efficient, supporting the global push toward net-zero emissions.

Carl Rehn, the CEO, is one of the key figures driving Pascal’s vision. With a PhD in maritime engineering from NTNU and years of experience in shipping and consulting, Rehn has played a central role in shaping the company’s strategy and technology roadmap. Supporting him is a leadership team including Markus Tufte-Johnsen (Chief Commercial Officer), Per Sondre Sodel and (Chief Technology Officer), and Olav Aagaard (Head of R&D), among others. Their combined expertise in engineering, business development, and software underpins Pascal’s innovations. In addition, early strategic investors such as Ocean Zero, Grieg Edge, and Katapult Ocean provided not only capital but also industry expertise, acting much like founding partners in enabling Pascal’s transition from research to commercialization.

Air Lubricant Systems Sources : https://www.pascaltech.com/

Pascal Technologies has developed two core product lines that leverage air-based innovation to reduce friction and energy use in maritime vessels. The first is its proprietary AirHull® Technology, designed for high-speed planning boats. By introducing and maintaining a cushion of air between the hull and the water, AirHull dramatically decreases hydrodynamic drag, allowing vessels to use up to 50% less energy while improving speed and stability. For electric boats, this translates to a game-changing increase in range, with prototype testing showing an 8-meter electric vessel achieving over 35 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 20 knots nearly double the performance of conventional designs. The second product line focuses on larger ships through Air Lubrication Systems (ALS), which channel the controlled streams of micro-bubbles beneath the hull to reduce resistance. This system is enhanced by the ALS Optimizer, Pascal’s intelligent control software that continuously monitors operating conditions and adjusts air flow to maximize efficiency in real time. Both product families are designed to be scalable for new builds and retrofits, offering shipping companies and boatbuilders tangible reductions in fuel costs, extended vessel endurance, and lower emissions, aligning with global sustainability and decarbonization goals.

To date, Pascal Technologies has raised approximately €10 million in combined equity investments and grant funding. A major milestone came in early 2023 when the company secured 53 million NOK (about US$5 million) in a round led by Ocean Zero, followed later in the year by an extension round of 4.5 million NOK (around US$0.5 million) with continued support from Grieg Edge and Katapult Ocean. In September 2023, Pascal announced a further €4.6 million raise, demonstrating consistent investor confidence in its vision. This capital is being deployed to scale up prototype demonstrations, advance software optimization, and accelerate the transition from pilot projects to fully commercial vessels.

Pascal has partnered with Nimbus Group / ALUKIN to develop the OceanAir8 concept vessel, integrating AirHull technology for broader market adoption. Another partnership with Moen Marin, a leading supplier of workboats for the aquaculture sector, focuses on applying Pascal’s solutions to crew transport vessels, where reduced fuel consumption can deliver both economic and environmental benefits underlining how Pascal’s technology is moving from laboratory R&D into practical, real-world maritime applications.

References 

Pascal Technologies – Official Website. About Us, Technology, Investors. https://www.pascaltech.com

ArcticStartup. Pascal Technologies raises €4.6M to boost sustainable marine technology. (2023).
https://arcticstartup.com/pascal-technologies-raises-e4-6m

The Triton. Pascal Technologies successfully raises $0.5M in equity through extension round. (Sept 2023).
https://www.the-triton.com/2023/09/pascal-technologies-successfully-raises-0-5m-in-equity-through-extension-round

Yachting Ventures. Pascal Technologies makes significant strides towards commercialisation with their energy-efficient hull technology. (2023).
https://yachtingventures.co/pascal-technologies-makes-significant-strides-towards-commercialisation-with-their-energy-efficient-hull-technology

Contributor : Dyah Ayuning Tyas

Reviewer      : Imam Buchari