Japan, Feb. 25 -- ClassNK has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to a patented air lubrication system developed by Minke Marine A.L. LLC, marking the second class-society endorsement for the design as the company moves toward commercial validation, according to ClassNK. The AiP follows an earlier approval in principle issued by DNV. Minke said the system has been installed on a 55,000 dwt, DNV-classed, Norwegian-owned general cargo vessel.The company said the installation cost was below $485,000 and that early performance data indicates fuel savings, with full results expected in March 2026. Co-founder Giles Candy said the system is designed to undercut competing air lubrication technologies on cost and installation time, citing a drive...