A Practical Step Toward Decarbonization, Insights from RAPTECH’s Cavitation Approach
Decarbonization in the maritime sector is often described as a long journey, but for many shipowners it feels more like standing in heavy traffic. Everyone talks about ammonia, methanol or hydrogen, but almost none of these fuels are ready for large scale daily operations. The result is a mixture of uncertainty, pressure and hesitation.
To bring more clarity into this situation, I recently hosted an interview with two specialists who work on a very different angle. Instead of chasing future fuels, they focus on something vessels can apply immediately. A practical first step that improves today’s operations without disrupting existing systems.
The conversation showed that sometimes innovation is less about technology hype and more about using physics in a smarter way.
Watch the video here.
A Market Stuck Between Future Visions and Today’s Reality
At the start of our talk, Dr. Ahmad Saylam explained why so many decision makers feel overwhelmed. The market is full of promises about tomorrow, while regulatory pressure demands real improvements today. Many operators feel trapped between “wait and see” and high risk investments.
Their approach sits in the middle ground, a solution that reduces emissions now, improves combustion quality and keeps options open for the future. It is a strategy that fits the operational reality of fleets that need reliability above all else.
The Innovative Core, Hydrodynamic Cavitation
The key innovation is the controlled use of hydrodynamic cavitation. When microscopic bubbles form and collapse inside the fuel stream, they release micro bursts of energy that break the fuel into extremely fine particles, often below five micrometers.
Why does this matter?
The technology is fuel agnostic. It works with HFO, MGO, biodiesel blends and even challenging waste oil mixtures. This flexibility stands out in a sector where many solutions require entirely new infrastructure.
A Drop In Approach That Fits Real Fleet Operations
What impressed me during the discussion with Business Development Manager Dmitri Cheboriukov was the simplicity of real world integration. The installation does not require new pumps or extra equipment. It fits into the current fuel line and starts working from the first day.
“Operations continue as normal, but the fuel works harder and burns cleaner,” he said.
In their testing, efficiency gains reached up to 4 percent, engines stayed cleaner and biodiesel blends became more stable. For operators, this combination of cost savings, reduced maintenance and immediate CO2 reduction is a rare mix.
It is not a miracle fix, but a practical improvement that reduces complexity at a time when the industry is overloaded with theoretical solutions.
Supporting the Shift Toward a Multi Fuel Future
An important part of the discussion was the long term view. Because the system works with any liquid fuel, it fits naturally into a multi fuel strategy. It stabilizes blends, improves combustion and reduces the performance risks that come with new fuel types.
In a market that still has no clear winner for 2035, such adaptability has strategic value.
Takeaway From the Interview
What stood out for me was the contrast between the complexity of maritime decarbonization and the simplicity of this specific technical step. By improving atomization and stabilizing blends, the system offers a realistic method to cut emissions and fuel costs today without major operational change.
In a sector under increasing regulatory and financial pressure, such pragmatic and low risk steps deserve serious attention.
Read the full article on Maritime Innovations
Decarbonization in the maritime sector is often described as a long journey, but for many shipowners it feels more like standing in heavy traffic. Everyone talks about ammonia, methanol or hydrogen, but almost none of these fuels are ready for large scale daily operations. The result is a mixture of uncertainty, pressure and hesitation.
To bring more clarity into this situation, I recently hosted an interview with two specialists who work on a very different angle. Instead of chasing future fuels, they focus on something vessels can apply immediately. A practical first step that improves today’s operations without disrupting existing systems.
The conversation showed that sometimes innovation is less about technology hype and more about using physics in a smarter way.
Watch the video here.
A Market Stuck Between Future Visions and Today’s Reality
At the start of our talk, Dr. Ahmad Saylam explained why so many decision makers feel overwhelmed. The market is full of promises about tomorrow, while regulatory pressure demands real improvements today. Many operators feel trapped between “wait and see” and high risk investments.
Their approach sits in the middle ground, a solution that reduces emissions now, improves combustion quality and keeps options open for the future. It is a strategy that fits the operational reality of fleets that need reliability above all else.
The Innovative Core, Hydrodynamic Cavitation
The key innovation is the controlled use of hydrodynamic cavitation. When microscopic bubbles form and collapse inside the fuel stream, they release micro bursts of energy that break the fuel into extremely fine particles, often below five micrometers.
Why does this matter?
- Finer atomization
- More complete combustion
- Reduced soot and unburned hydrocarbons
- Improved engine stability
- Lower maintenance levels
The technology is fuel agnostic. It works with HFO, MGO, biodiesel blends and even challenging waste oil mixtures. This flexibility stands out in a sector where many solutions require entirely new infrastructure.
A Drop In Approach That Fits Real Fleet Operations
What impressed me during the discussion with Business Development Manager Dmitri Cheboriukov was the simplicity of real world integration. The installation does not require new pumps or extra equipment. It fits into the current fuel line and starts working from the first day.
“Operations continue as normal, but the fuel works harder and burns cleaner,” he said.
In their testing, efficiency gains reached up to 4 percent, engines stayed cleaner and biodiesel blends became more stable. For operators, this combination of cost savings, reduced maintenance and immediate CO2 reduction is a rare mix.
It is not a miracle fix, but a practical improvement that reduces complexity at a time when the industry is overloaded with theoretical solutions.
Supporting the Shift Toward a Multi Fuel Future
An important part of the discussion was the long term view. Because the system works with any liquid fuel, it fits naturally into a multi fuel strategy. It stabilizes blends, improves combustion and reduces the performance risks that come with new fuel types.
In a market that still has no clear winner for 2035, such adaptability has strategic value.
Takeaway From the Interview
What stood out for me was the contrast between the complexity of maritime decarbonization and the simplicity of this specific technical step. By improving atomization and stabilizing blends, the system offers a realistic method to cut emissions and fuel costs today without major operational change.
- No redesign
- No fuel switch
- Drop in integration
- Efficiency gains
- Cleaner engine performance
- Immediate emission reduction
In a sector under increasing regulatory and financial pressure, such pragmatic and low risk steps deserve serious attention.
Read the full article on Maritime Innovations
