RINA Reviews Silverstream's Energy Savings Methodology

RINA Reviews Performance Measurement Approach

Classification society RINA has independently assessed the methodology used by maritime technology firm Silverstream to calculate energy savings delivered by its air lubrication system. According to a statement reported by Ship & Bunker, the review examined how gross and net savings are calculated, including how vessel speed and environmental conditions factor into the results.

Silverstream said the methodology draws on recognised industry standards and is intended to give both the company and shipowners a common framework for measuring how the air lubrication system performs in service.

Building on Prior Approval

The assessment follows an earlier step in the relationship between the two organisations: RINA granted Approval in Principle for Silverstream’s EEDI calculation and testing methodology in December 2025. The latest review extends that engagement into the broader question of how performance data is generated and interpreted once systems are installed on operating vessels.

Company Perspective

Noah Silberschmidt, CEO and Founder of Silverstream, said customers want reliable performance data to support their decision-making, which is why the company worked with RINA and gave the class society access to its data and methodology.

Pino Spadafora, Marine Market Development Vice President at RINA, was also named in connection with the assessment, reflecting the class society’s direct involvement in reviewing the approach.

Installation Base

Silverstream reported that its air lubrication system has now been installed on 164 vessels across a range of segments. As adoption of energy-saving technologies grows across the shipping industry, independent verification of how savings are measured is becoming a reference point for owners and managers evaluating retrofit or newbuild options.

For technical superintendents and fleet managers assessing air lubrication systems, third-party assessment of measurement methodology offers an additional data point when comparing supplier claims against verified performance frameworks, particularly as regulatory pressure on vessel efficiency and emissions continues to increase.

Apeks view — Independent review of a methodology is not the same as independent verification of results on every vessel, and that distinction matters for owners weighing efficiency claims. A class society scrutinising how gross and net savings are calculated is a useful check on the framework, but actual performance still depends on installation, operating profile, and conditions at sea. Technical managers should treat this as a stronger basis for comparison, not a substitute for reviewing in-service data on their own fleet.