Dutch shipbuilding group Damen Shipyards has highlighted progress with its patented Damen Air Cavity System (DACS)—a hull air-lubrication solution the company says can reduce hull resistance, fuel consumption, and emissions, according to a Damen brochure.
DACS works by maintaining a thin layer of air between the hull and the water beneath the vessel’s flat bottom section. By reducing the wetted surface area, the system improves propulsion efficiency. Damen notes that the underlying technology was developed at TU Delft and later commercialized and adapted for shipping applications by Damen. Performance verification, the company says, involved MARIN and HSVA under real operational conditions.
Depending on vessel type, Damen reports verified fuel savings of 5–12% on seagoing ships. The company also states that DACS can support better CII and EEXI performance by lowering CO₂ emissions.
The system includes a bridge control and alarm panel, an air blower, automatic valves, an air distribution network, air-cavity forming components, and hull elements. Installation can be carried out during scheduled dry-docking—either at a customer-selected yard or at Damen Shiprepair facilities.
The brochure also notes that the system is certified by RINA.
