The Motor Ship: Silverstream Air Lubrication for Cruise Operator

Silverstream Technologies has signed a contract with another major cruise line to retrofit its Silverstream System® technology on one of its vessels.

The Silverstream System® is an air lubrication technology available which can be installed to both newbuilds and retrofits, even during a short dry docking.

It uses 66% less energy than other air lubrication systems to power the compressors, which keep cavities filled with air at the required pressure.

Noah Silberschmidt, CEO Silverstream Technologies, said: “There is a real demand from the cruise sector for clean technologies that are cost effective, easy to implement and operate, and deliver the efficiency benefits that are claimed.”

He added: “Cruise operators are under increasing pressure to improve their sustainability, as well as reduce fuel consumption and their environmental impact.”

“This new contract represents the confidence that the sector has in the Silverstream System® as a viable technology that helps them to meet these challenges, as well as delivering a fast return on investment.”

The technology does not take up a significant amount of space, which is key to the cruise industry and impact on its revenue.

There is a positive simplicity to retrofitting the Silverstream System® means less downtime for vessels, and also reduces the cost of the technology by as much as 30%.

Extensive performance analysis of data from Silverstream’s original sea trial funded by Shell confirmed consistent net efficiency savings more than 4% and up to 8% for larger vessels.

Mr Silberschmidt concluded: “MARPOL Annex VI regulations, which will see the global sulphur limit in fuels reduce to less than 0.5%, will be implemented in 2020, and will have a significant effect on fuel bills for cruise operators, who also transit the 0.1% Emission Control Areas.”

“Leveraging any solution that can reduce their fuel consumption is critical to maintaining profitability and continuity. Clean technology is one of the best ways to deliver this, and we are delighted that the hard work and investment that has gone into developing the Silverstream System as one of the industry’s most viable and proven solutions is coming to fruition.”

The system will be retrofitted onto the vessel in 2017.

Read more in The Motor Ship