Published October 27, 2022 19:37 by
Naval Executive
Carnival Corporation plans to expand the use of air lubrication systems across its nine cruise line brands and its current fleet of 87 cruise ships. The corporation has signed a new agreement with Silverstream Technologies to expand the use of the system that creates small air bubbles along the body to reduce drag and improve fuel economy.
Silverstream reports that the two companies have been working together for the past six years with the first installation of the technology in 2016. AIDA Prima, a 125,572 gross ton cruise ship built in Japan by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding for German brand Carnival was the first to incorporate the technology. The 984-foot cruise ship became the pilot for the system that generates a cushion of air bubbles to lubricate the underside of a ship’s hull, reducing friction between the ship and the surrounding water. According to Carnival, it has resulted in savings in energy and fuel consumption over a wide range of speeds.
Carnival Corp. there are currently four air lubrication systems in operation. The system was recovered on Princess Cruises’ 115,000 gross tons Diamond Princess. The cruise ship, which is 952 feet long, has achieved an approximate five percent net fuel and emissions savings by using the air lubrication system. Two other cruise ships, according to Carnival Corp. operating for Princess and P&O, will be equipped with the technology in 2022.
The companies report that they are currently in progress on five additional installations, and as part of the agreement, Silverstream’s technology will be acquired on at least 10 additional vessels during their planned dry docks over the next five years. These ships will form the first wave of more than 40 ships in Carnival’s fleet that are suitable retrofit candidates for the Silverstream System.
Carnival expects that more than half of its cruise line brands will use the technology and plans to continue expanding the air lubrication system program over time. The installations Silverstream says will cause zero disruption to normal ship operations and zero inconvenience to passengers.
In addition to the refit program, Carnival recently contracted Silverstream to install its technology on new Sphere-class cruise ships being built at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy for Princess Cruises. The first of two new ships ordered for this class is the 1,132-foot Sun Princess, which will enter service in early 2024. The cruise ship, which will be approximately 175,500 gross tons, is the second platform of Carnival Corp. powered by LNG and a first for Princess Cruises.
“The installation of air lubrication technology is another example of our ongoing efforts to drive energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption and emissions across our fleet,” said Bill Burke, chief maritime officer for Carnival Corporation. “We look forward to expanding the ALS program and furthering our long-term sustainability strategy to continually invest in a wide range of energy reduction initiatives, which has included over $350 million invested in energy efficiency improvements that from 2016.”
