The marine shipping industry is facing multiple key challenges, several of which relate to the use of fuel. These include rising fuel costs, new environmental regulations, and the push to decarbonize shipping. As the industry adopts Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, the International Maritime Organization is mandating measures to cut down on vessels’ greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2022, international shipping accounted for 3% of all greenhouse gas emissions globally, with container ships and bulk carriers releasing an annual average of 140 million metric tons and 440 million metric tons, respectively. These alarming numbers call for immediate action and modern-day solutions that reduce the large amount of carbon emissions caused by cargo ships and other marine transportation.
While industries realize the urgent need for eco-friendly solutions, especially in carbon-heavy ones such as air freight, land and maritime transportation, drastic transformation is impractical and financially unfeasible. To meet the needs of environmentally conscious shippers, investors, and customers, 13 Mari developed a simple yet ingenious solution designed to tune boats, reduce environmental impacts, and generate profits.
Led by an international mix of expert maritime engineers and seasoned executives, 13 Mari created a process of retrofitting the vessel’s hull with passive elements, reducing the drag experienced by the vessel’s hull, resulting in better fuel efficiency. The company has gathered crucial support through both investment and partnerships in the shipping industry. 13 Mari’s goal is to create an optimal hull shape that encounters the least water resistance possible, and these elements help bring a vessel closer to that optimal shape. Larger vessels, which encounter more drag and use more fuel, are set to benefit the most from this solution, achieving more fuel and monetary savings.
“Imagine going to a tuning shop with a fresh-out-of-the-factory SUV. There, experts tweak its parameters and turn it into an SUV with the horsepower and speed of a sports car,” says Krassi Fotev, Founder of 13 Mari. “That’s exactly what we do, but with boxy, heavy, ships that carry hundreds of tons of cargo across oceans. Modern-day ships are already designed with economy and efficiency in mind. However, I believe more aspects can be enhanced, and that’s what 13 Mari aims to do.”
Krassi took inspiration from nature, analyzing the texture and movement of dunes in the desert, taking note of how the wind shapes them. Additionally, while windsurfing on a windy day, he spotted two-dimensional ripples on the water. Using his education in physics, he began analyzing these phenomena’s relation to drag and energy levels.
“I started wondering, why isn’t the desert flat? Often, we’re told that smooth surfaces are the most streamlined. At that moment, nature was telling me otherwise, and I knew I needed to try this new approach on boats,” he says.
Krassi, alongside a team of experts, developed a prototype. While testing the first generation of the product, the team noticed a 10% faster fluid flow, and a result of an estimated 20% reduction in drag. According to academic estimations, methods such as 13 Mari’s can result in a theoretical maximum of 24% efficiency gain. 13 Mari has already achieved 7% drag reduction in the towing tank and is working every day to get closer to this limit by studying optimal placement of the elements. Second generation testing is currently underway, with plans to launch the finished product in the coming months.
Through its invention, 13 Mari is revolutionizing the future of maritime transportation. with elements that, when attached to the hull, create a more streamlined flow of water that decreases drag. Unlike drastic solutions that are time- and cost-inefficient, 13 Mari is able to complete the installation of their solution within hours and most importantly without interfering with the vessel's maintenance schedule. Moreover, since the invention improves existing ships, it doesn’t require expensive investments such as through hull modifications.
Krassi emphasizes that 13 Mari’s solution is fuel-agnostic, allowing vessels of all propulsion types to benefit. With ships today using fossil fuels, the improved efficiency means that each vessel will be able to reduce fuel consumption and its respective greenhouse gas emissions.
“The marine shipping industry is working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the key way to achieve this is by taking a step back, looking at every step in the process, and improving key efficiency aspects. The fuel consumption and emissions improvements are a direct consequence of the optimization. ” Krassi says. “13 Mari’s research on optimizing hull shape is beginning to bear significant fruit, and our easy-to-implement solutions create significant financial benefit for vessel operators and investors. We are constantly looking for new distribution channels and refining our technology, as part of our mission to offer modern-day solutions that are good for the planet.”
Media Contact
Name: Krassi Fotev
Email: [email protected]
