Clean technology company Silverstream Technologies has  announced that it has secured an order from Meyer Werft Shipyard to install its air lubrication technology, the Silverstream^® System, on a new Carnival Corporation Excel-class cruise ship, currently known as hull S717.The Silverstream^® System uses a series of air release units (ARUs) in the flat bottom of a vessel to generate a rigid carpet of microbubbles that travel the full length of the hull. The technology will be installed during S717’s construction, with Meyer Werft manufacturing the ARUs to Silverstream specifications.

Once installed, the Silverstream^® System will generate net fuel and emissions savings of more than 5%. The 344m vessel will be operated by Carnival Cruise Line when it is delivered in 2023. Like other vessels in its class, the newbuild will be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), paving the way for the next generation of low carbon passenger vessels.

The news follows the order and ongoing installation of the Silverstream^® System on P&O Cruises’ vessel Arvia, also an Excel-class vessel, which is currently under construction at Meyer Werft shipyard.

Today’s announcement marks yet another step in Silverstream’s relationship with Carnival Corporation, which started in 2017 with the installation of its technology on the Princess Cruises vessel Diamond Princess. The independent verification of the performance of the Silverstream^® System on this vessel – over 5% net fuel and emissions savings – as verified by class society Lloyd’s Register laid the groundwork for more installations.

The repeat order from Carnival Corporation for the Silverstream^® System on its next-generation passenger vessels therefore reflects Carnival’s confidence in Silverstream’s technology as an effective lifecycle efficiency solution, as well as its forward-thinking approach to carbon reduction.

Noah Silberschmidt, CEO, Silverstream Technologies, said: “We are proud to further cement our strong relationship with Carnival with a second order of the Silverstream^® System on its Excel-class vessels. A repeat order for our technology from the cruise sector’s leading brand reflects its viability to cut emissions and reduce fuel costs.

“These powerful savings, combined with our System’s high reliability, availability and low maintenance, means that we have become a critical part of Carnival’s sustainability roadmap. We are continuing to work with Carnival to jointly identify further opportunities to install our technology across its current and planned fleet.

“We are also pleased to once again work with our friends and partners at Meyer Werft shipyard. Maintaining a close partnership with leading shipyards is a vital part of our efforts to scale installations of our technology as a standard on all newbuild vessels.”

Ben Clement, Senior Vice President, Newbuilds, Refurbishments & Product Innovation, Carnival Cruise Line, said: “At Carnival, we are committed to building the cruise industry’s most efficient and sophisticated ships. The addition of the Silverstream^® System on Carnival Cruise Line’s third Excel-class ship will ensure that this vision continues to become a reality. Following the impressive fuel and emission savings on Diamond Princess, and subsequent orders of the System, we value our relationship with Silverstream and are excited to explore more opportunities to champion clean technologies in the future.”

Stephan Schmees, Executive Board Member, Project Management Ships & Quality, Meyer Werft, said: “As one of the largest builders of luxury passenger vessels, we are excited to once again work with Silverstream and Carnival Corporation to deliver an efficient and environmentally superior vessel design. Carnival took the decision to add ALS to S717 quite late in the build process, so the fact we have been able to accommodate this change at short notice reflects our strong, dynamic relationship and the flexibility of the Silverstream team. We strive for high quality, expert engineering, and proven clean technologies, such as the Silverstream^® System, help us achieve this.”