- lomarlabs and BlueNose will integrate AI-driven shape generation and advanced materials to reduce ship air resistance and deliver up to 5% fuel savings.
- Their modular aerodynamic structures—validated in simulations and poised for real-sea trials—are placed at the bow to minimize drag across diverse commercial vessels.
- BlueNose, founded by RCA alumni Léon Grillet and Joë Sangar, was named a 2024 Terra Carta Design Lab Winner and now gains industry access through Lomar’s venture lab.
Lomar’s corporate venture arm, Lomarlabs, has partnered with maritime tech innovator BlueNose to enhance commercial vessel efficiency by optimizing hull aerodynamics. By combining computational fluid dynamics with proprietary AI shape-generation algorithms, the collaboration aims to strategically position lightweight, advanced-material structures at ship fronts, cutting air resistance and delivering substantial fuel and emissions reductions.
AI-Driven Aerodynamic Innovation
Developed with leading academic and climate-tech experts, BlueNose’s modular system has undergone extensive simulation testing and is ready for sea-going deployment. The AI-assisted design process tailors each component’s geometry to vessel-specific flow characteristics, ensuring maximum drag reduction without compromising structural integrity or operational flexibility.
Recognition and Origins
BlueNose’s pioneering work earned a spot among the 2024 Terra Carta Design Lab Winners—an initiative championed by King Charles III for sustainable technology. The company was founded by Léon Grillet and Joë Sangar during their studies at the Royal College of Art (RCA), and has been nurtured by InnovationRCA’s award-winning incubator.
Key Stakeholder Quotes
Stylianos Papageorgiou, Managing Director of Lomarlabs, emphasised the collaboration’s impact:
“BlueNose exemplifies the forward-thinking innovation we champion at Lomarlabs. By combining advanced materials and AI-assisted aerodynamics design, they create versatile and lightweight structures, which we are hoping to quickly deploy on vessels, setting new standards for conversion and efficiency improvement. We are excited to support their journey and bring tangible fuel savings to the maritime industry.”
Léon Grillet, CEO & Co-Founder of BlueNose, added:
“Partnering with lomarlabs allows us to accelerate the adoption of our technology, bringing real impact to the shipping sector. Together, we are reducing emissions and driving change.”
Nicholas Georgiou, CEO of Lomar Shipping, highlighted the importance of industry collaboration:
“In August 2024, the BlueNose team joined Lomar’s newbuilding projects team in China, touring shipyards and engaging with suppliers to gain firsthand insight into shipbuilding, retrofitting challenges, and commercial dynamics. This is just one example of how Lomar and Lomarlabs support early-stage startups by offering them direct access and impactful exposure to the industry.”
Path to Deployment and Industry Impact
Through this partnership, Lomarlabs and BlueNose are accelerating the maritime sector’s shift toward more sustainable, technologically advanced operations. By demonstrating fuel and emissions reductions in real-world deployments, they aim to set a new benchmark for vessel retrofits and future ship designs.
Did you subscribe to our Daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Lomar Labs
