ClassNK has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to a patented air lubrication system developed by Minke Marine A.L. LLC, marking the second class-society endorsement for the design as the company moves toward commercial validation, according to ClassNK.
The AiP follows an earlier approval in principle issued by DNV. Minke said the system has been installed on a 55,000 dwt, DNV-classed, Norwegian-owned general cargo vessel.
The company said the installation cost was below $485,000 and that early performance data indicates fuel savings, with full results expected in March 2026.
Co-founder Giles Candy said the system is designed to undercut competing air lubrication technologies on cost and installation time, citing a driven concept that eliminates compressors and blowers.
Co-founder Kevin McPherson said the system is intended for routine ship operations and operates without AI, machine learning or a Wi-Fi connection.
Minke said retrofit and newbuild options are priced between $475,000 and $750,000 depending on vessel size, with a targeted payback period of nine to 24 months.
Minke Marine A.L. LLC is a US West Coast-based maritime technology company founded in 2023 by Giles Candy and Kevin McPherson. The company focuses on the development of air lubrication systems for commercial shipping.
ClassNK is a Japanese classification society providing classification, approval and technical services to shipowners, shipbuilders and equipment manufacturers.
DNV is an independent Norwegian classification society and technical assurance provider serving the global maritime industry.
