The MALS-14000CS adopts the proprietary Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System (MALS), which reduces frictional resistance between the vessel hull and seawater using air bubbles at the vessel bottom.By incorporating the MALS, along with an advanced high-efficiency hull and propulsion system, the vessel will be capable of reducing emissions of CO2 by 35 percent compared with container carriers of conventional design.
MHI has already installed the MALS on the Yamatai, a module carrier operated by NYK-Hinode Line, Ltd., a subsidiary of Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line), and is verifying its CO2 reduction efficiency, expecting a reduction of some 10 percent.. This marked the world's first application of an air-blow type ALS system on an ocean-going vessel for permanent use; the MALS-14000CS signifies the second application of MALS technology.
The MALS-14000CS is designed to realize a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions through the MALS. The ship design, featuring a new high-performance hull form, places the bridge relatively forward, exhaust funnels at the stern, and additional container space under the accommodations quarter.
The new ship design, providing increased container carrying capacity, coupled with a two-engine, two-shaft propulsion system, enables a reduction in CO2 emissions by 24 percent. With another 5 percent reduction enabled by the electronically controlled diesel engine and waste heat recovery system, the MALS-14000CS achieves an overall 35 percent cut in CO2 emissions.
The MALS-14000CS is designed to be further environmentally friendly through installation of a SOx scrubber to remove sulfur oxide (SOx) from flue gas and a ballast water treatment system.