Estonian-based shipping company Amisco has placed the first commercial order for Damen’s new air lubrication system, DACS. DACS, which was developed by a collaboration between Damen and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), will be installed aboard the general cargo vessel Danita in Tallinn, Estonia, the company confirmed.

The air lubrication system maintains a thin layer of air over the flat bottom of a vessel’s hull, reducing resistance in the water, thereby lowering drag and friction. As a result, the efficiency of the vessel is improved with fuel consumption reduced by up to 15%.