Cruise drives clean tech uptake

The company said it has seen an increase in air lubrication discussions with cruise operators driven by a commitment to corporate social responsibility, as well the impending changes to MARPOL Annex VI regulations, where increases in the operational efficiency of vessels will be critical to reducing fuel costs.

“We are seeing considerable interest from cruise operators who want to offer assurances to their customers that they are proactively looking to minimise the environmental impact of their operations, said Noah Silberschmidt, CEO, Silverstream.

“They are doing this by getting ahead of regulations and implementing proven clean technologies that increase efficiencies and reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions.”

The Silverstream System produces a thin layer of micro bubbles for the full flat bottom of the vessel, reducing the frictional resistance between the water and the hull improving the vessel’s operational efficiency and reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Silverstream already has a contract with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and is in advanced discussions with a number of other cruise operators who are looking to implement air lubrication technology.

Data gathered from sea trials conducted with Shell and on-going testing over the past 24 months shows that the Silverstream System can deliver average net efficiency gains of 5% for tankers and 8% for larger, full bodied vessels like LNG carriers.

The technology can be installed to both newbuilds and retrofits during a short dry docking stay.