Armada Technologies

Armada Technologies, founded in the UK in 2020 by Alex Routledge and Roger Armson, develops hull air lubrication systems to improve vessel efficiency. Its primary offering, the Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS), is a second-generation, compressor-less system designed to reduce a ship's drag by creating a layer of bubbles along the hull. This process lowers fuel consumption and, consequently, carbon emissions.

The PALS technology utilizes a venturi system that works with the vessel's forward motion to form an optimal bubble spread, ensuring thorough lubrication without the need for compressors. This system is designed to adapt bubble production based on the ship's type and operating conditions, such as speed, depth, and weather, providing a continuous bubble layer even on deeper draft vessels at lower speeds.

Cofounder and CEO Alex Routledge has a background as a Naval Architect with Royal Dutch Shell and as a Technical Superintendent at Qatar Gas, along with an MBA from Saïd Business School, Oxford. COO and cofounder Roger Armson has extensive maritime experience, including roles as Director and Chairman at Larne Harbour Ltd. and Port of Cairnryan Ltd., and positions at major shipping lines like Stena Line and DFDS.

In May 2024, Armada Technologies secured $3.2 million in a seed funding round. The round included contributions from strategic partners and financial investors such as Cool Company Management Ltd. (CoolCo), Ecochlor, Inc., Future Planet Capital, Founders Factory, and Oxford Seed Fund. This capital is intended to enhance operations, expand the team, and accelerate the adoption of its PALS technology. Ecochlor also serves as Armada's global sales team.

Keywords: hull air lubrication, maritime decarbonization, vessel efficiency, passive air lubrication system, fuel consumption reduction, ship drag reduction, green marine technology, venturi system, naval architecture, emissions reduction, sustainable shipping, maritime technology, cleantech, bluetech, energy efficiency