Air layer
Energy-saving ship technology “NATURAL AIR CARPET”
A buoyant layer of air,
aiming for 20% lower fuel use.
A technology that reduces frictional resistance with water and lets ships glide on air. We are inviting companies in shipping, shipbuilding and investment to join as members in developing new hull designs based on this technology.
- Fuel reduction target
- 20%
- Member companies (first round)
- 100
- Related patents
- Licensed or pending
How It Works
HOW IT WORKS
A layer of air forms under the hull
Air is not blown against the hull. It accumulates beneath it and naturally becomes a single layer.
Frictional resistance with water drops
With a layer of air between the hull bottom and the water, the frictional resistance acting on the hull is reduced.
Faster, on less fuel
With the same propulsive power, the ship can go faster or burn less fuel. We aim for 20% lower fuel consumption than existing vessels.
The Technology
AIR CARPET
Compared with existing vessels, aiming for
20%lower fuel consumption
A layer of air forms naturally beneath the hull, reducing frictional resistance. The air is not blown against the hull — it accumulates and becomes a layer. Regarded as the world's first and only air-gliding technology, it delivers both higher vessel speed and better fuel efficiency.
1Bubbles rise
2They cling to the steel plate
3They merge into a single film
See the air layer form on video — the approx. 15-second footage is shown to members below.
Watch the hull videoRESTRICTED FOOTAGE
Beneath the Hull
Footage from a place no one can normally enter to film — the moment air gathers beneath the hull and becomes a single layer. Shown only to MORIZO GROUP members.
- Approx. 15 sec
- Filmed beneath the hull
- Members only
Why the Effect Lasts
MICROBUBBLE CLEANING EFFECT
From newbuild to scrapping:approx.20to25years
The hull bottom is continuously cleaned by the microbubble cleaning effect. As a result, the ship's speed is less likely to drop even after hull cleaning.
Combined with the energy savings from air gliding, this effect continues throughout the ship's life. Lower maintenance costs during dry-docking can also be expected.
Development Records
RECORDS
Filming the hull’s air layer from underwater
We captured on video how air accumulates into a layer beneath the hull — a place where no one can normally enter to film.
Hull cleaning by microbubbles
The hull bottom is continuously cleaned by microbubbles, so the ship’s speed is less likely to drop even after hull cleaning.
Developing the MORIZO hull design
From VLCCs down to the 10,000-ton class, we aim to build ships that are 20% more energy-efficient than today’s best existing hull designs.
How We Differ
COMPARED WITH OTHER AIR LUBRICATION SYSTEMS
SILVERSTREAM
ARMADA TECHNOLOGY
MITSUBISHI (MALS)
We believe our technology is fundamentally superior in performance to these systems. The difference comes from the very nature of the technology: it forms a layer of air beneath the hull naturally.
Why We Do This
IMO 2050
By combining this technology with other proven technologies such as the GATE RUDDER and WAP (wind-assisted propulsion), we want to build a range of MORIZO hull designs — from VLCCs to the 10,000-ton class — that are 20% more energy-efficient than the best existing designs, and reduce CO2 around the world.
We believe the IMO’s goal of halving CO2 emissions by 2050 is achievable if it is built on the platform of hull designs using this technology.
Membership & Support
MEMBERSHIP / CONTRIBUTION
MORIZO GROUP membership is limited to 100 companies (100 vessels) in the first round.
Members of this technology will have priority access to a range of investment-related information as new hull designs are introduced. Partnerships with various other new technologies are also being considered.
- USD200,000Contributing Member
- One year of operating data following the completion of the new hull design will be provided only to members who have made a USD 200,000 contribution.
- USD300,000Premium Member
- The MORIZO MARKET OUTLOOK through 2035 will be provided only to USD 300,000 Premium Members.
- Tailored supportAdditional services
- Companies wishing for further services will be supported individually.
- About contributionsRepayment
- Please note that contributions are non-refundable.
CONTRIBUTION
We do not post job openings. Instead, we welcome contributions in support of the technology. Details are handled individually by email.
How to Join
FROM INQUIRY TO MEMBERSHIP
01Contact / Request documents
Use the form to contact us or request documents. Only company or organization email addresses are accepted; free email services are not.
- 02
Watch the technology video
Members receive a password from MORIZO GROUP to watch the approx. 15-second video of an air layer forming beneath the hull.
03Discuss individually by email
We respond individually by email under strict confidentiality. Membership and contributions are also explained in this exchange.
04Join as a member
Join as a Contributing Member (USD 200,000) or a Premium Member (USD 300,000). The first round is limited to 100 companies (100 vessels).
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
QWhat kind of technology is this?
It is an air-gliding technology that naturally forms a layer of air under the hull to reduce frictional resistance with water. Air is not blown against the hull; it naturally accumulates beneath it and becomes a layer.
QWill fuel consumption drop by 20%?
20% is our target reduction compared with existing vessels. By combining this technology with other proven technologies, we aim to build ships that are 20% more energy-efficient than the best existing hull designs.
QHow long does the effect last?
Because the hull bottom is continuously cleaned by the microbubble cleaning effect, the ship’s speed is less likely to drop even after hull cleaning. We expect this, combined with the energy savings, to last for approx. 20 to 25 years — from newbuild to scrapping.
QWhat do members receive?
Contributing Members (USD 200,000) receive one year of data following the completion of the new hull design, and Premium Members (USD 300,000) receive the MORIZO MARKET OUTLOOK through 2035. Further services are handled individually. Members will have priority access to a range of investment-related information as new hull designs are introduced. Partnerships with various other new technologies are also being considered.
QAre contributions refundable?
No, contributions are non-refundable.
QIs there a limit on the number of members?
The first round is limited to 100 companies (100 vessels).
QCan individuals or free email addresses apply?
Membership is for companies and organizations. Free email services such as Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook and me are not accepted.
Company
MORIZO GROUP POOL
- Operator
- MORIZO GROUP POOL
- Site name
- MORIZO GROUP - THE FUTURE SHIP TEAM
- Business
- Ship operation using energy-saving technology. We provide technology that aims to reduce fuel consumption compared with existing vessels, through hull designs developed from natural air-gliding technology beneath the hull.
- Vessels
- MORIZO GROUP operates a POOL of various vessels incorporating this technology.
- Headquarters
- Hong Kong
- Service area
- Worldwide (with a focus on China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore and India)
- Contact
- business@morizou-co.jp
We maintain strict confidentiality and welcome your inquiries by email, so that every exchange is kept as a formal record.
business@morizou-co.jp
Contact / Documents
CONTACT / DOCUMENTS
Please use this form for inquiries about the technology or membership, or to request documents. You can also apply here for access to the approx. 15-second technology video showing air naturally accumulating beneath the hull.
- Free email services such as Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook and me are not accepted.
- The first round is limited to 100 companies (100 vessels).
- All inquiries are handled individually under strict confidentiality.