Silverstream Technologies has agreed with Carnival Corporation to install the air lubrication system on two more cruise ships.
These are the third and fourth newbuildings of the Excel class to be equipped with the air lubrication system from the market leader for clean technologies in the maritime sector.
The 180,000 GT ships with a capacity of over 5,000 passengers will be built at the German Meyer Werft shipyard and feature key sustainability technologies to help cruise operator Carnival Corporation achieve its decarbonisation goals.
The LNG-powered newbuilds will integrate Silverstream technology onboard, unlocking net fuel savings potential and paving the way for the next generation of low-emission passenger ships. Previously, the system on board Princess Cruises’ “Diamond Princess” had already resulted in net fuel and emissions savings of around 5%. This is in line with Carnival Corporation’s goal to reduce its carbon intensity by 40%. The company aims to achieve this goal by 2026 – four years earlier than originally forecast.
16 Carnival ships equipped with Silverstream system
With the two newbuilds scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028, Carnival Corporation’s fleet will total 16 ships with the Silverstream system, furthering the company’s decarbonisation efforts. Like their predecessors, these latest additions to the fleet will feature a wide range of other energy efficiency improvements, such as waste heat recovery, advanced HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems and hull form optimisation. In this way, Carnival Corporation aims to further minimize its environmental footprint and operating costs.
The emissions savings achieved by the system support the decarbonization goals that promote cruise line leadership in sustainability. Underpinning these efforts is Silverstream‘s close collaboration with shipyards to seamlessly meet the industry’s growing demand for clean technology solutions, as well as extensive operational data gained from many years of system operation.
Ambitions for decarbonisation must be increased
“Cruise companies have always been at the forefront of introducing advanced technologies into their fleets,” said Noah Silberschmidt, founder and CEO of Silverstream Technologies. “Since 2016, we have been proud to partner with Carnival Corporation, the industry’s largest operator, to support their journey to decarbonisation with our proven air lubrication technology. The need of the hour is to raise the ambition for decarbonisation and we are committed to building large-scale partnerships that drive sustainability across the industry.”
Carnival Corporation’s Chief Maritime Officer, retired Vice Admiral William R. Burke, added: “Silverstream’s ability to deliver demonstrably verified greenhouse gas and fuel cost savings sets them apart in a crowded market. Our ongoing partnership has been proven thanks to our shared commitment to advancing sustainability in the maritime sector.” As we move towards net zero by 2050, they look forward to many more years of working together to increase energy efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and cut emissions across our fleet.
The Silverstream system reduces frictional resistance between the water and the ship’s hull, reducing net fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions by 5-10%. The system has been independently tested by Lloyd’s Register, HSVA, the University of Southampton, Carnival Corporation and Shell. It can also be retrofitted in ten days or less, causing minimal disruption to ship operations. It lasts the lifetime of the ship, complements other clean technologies and can be used in conjunction with them. A total of 91 ships are currently operating with the system.
