Carnival to install more Silverstream systems

Carnival Corporation & plc is to install air lubrication systems from Silverstream on two more cruise ships, taking the total number in the Carnival fleet to 16. The vessels will be the third and fourth 180,000-gt ships in the Excel class to have Silversteam systems. With capacity for more than 5,000 passengers, the LNG-powered vessels will be built at Germany’s Meyer Werft and incorporate a range of sustainability features in line with the cruise company’s decarbonisation goals.

A Silverstream system installed on board Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess has been shown to reduce fuel burn and emissions by about 5%. This is contributing to Carnival Corporation’s target of reducing its carbon intensity by 40% next year, four years ahead of initial plans.

The two vessels to be built at Meyer Werft are due for delivery in 2027 and 2028. Like their predecessors, they will have various energy efficiency technologies installed on board, including waste heat recovery, hull form optimisation, and advanced HVAC systems.

Silverstream founder and CEO, Noah Silberschmidt, said: “Since 2016, we have proudly partnered with Carnival Corporation, the industry’s largest operator, to support their decarbonisation journey with our proven air lubrication technology. The need of the hour is to raise decarbonisation ambitions, and we are committed to building large-scale partnerships that advance sustainability across the entire sector.”

Vice Admiral (Ret.) William R. Burke, Carnival Corporation’s chief maritime officer, commented: “Silverstream’s ability to deliver proven, verified greenhouse gas and fuel cost savings sets them apart in a crowded marketplace. Our continued partnership has thrived thanks to our shared commitment to advancing sustainability if the maritime sector.”

The Silverstream system can be retrofitted to existing ships in ten days or less.