Air lubrication technology innovators, Silverstream Technologies have this week voiced that they are witnessing increased uptake of their technology from the cruise sector.
Once installed, 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, and improves the vessel’s operational efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and associated emissions.
The company has already clinched a deal with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and are also in discussions with a number of other cruise operators who are looking to implement the company’s air lubrication technology, the Silverstream™ System.
The CEO of Silverstream, Noah Silberschmidt stated: “In conjunction with the growing commitment to sustainability, given the consumer-facing nature of the sector, 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. They are doing this by getting ahead of regulations and implementing proven clean technologies that increase efficiencies and reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions.”
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. Silverstream’s system also uses 66% less energy than other air lubrication systems to power the compressors which keep cavities filled with air at the required pressure.
Additionally, comparative air lubrication systems for cruise vessels use a greater number of larger compressors and air pipes, requiring significantly more space within a vessel’s hull. The simplicity of retrofitting the Silverstream™ System means less downtime for vessels, says the company, and also reduces the cost of the technology by as much as 30%, compared to competitor products.
The technology is also the only air lubrication technology available which can be installed to both newbuild and retrofitted to existing vessels.
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