Maritime air lubrication technology leader Silverstream Technologies has signed a deal with Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL), the world’s largest cruise company, to install the Silverstream® System on Carnival Cruise Lines’ Ace Class newbuild cruise vessels being constructed at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, beginning with Carnival Destiny arriving in summer 2029.
The new order builds on Silverstream’s long-standing collaboration with Carnival Corporation, which has over 127,000 system running hours to date across its global cruise fleet. The Silverstream® System is installed or ordered onboard 18 vessels across several Carnival Corporation cruise lines, including 13 in-service vessels and a further 5 currently in build or on order, made up of 2 Excel-class and 3 Ace Class vessels.
Once built, the LNG-powered Ace Class vessels will be the largest ships in Carnival Corporation’s global fleet. The decision to install Silverstream’s proven air lubrication technology onboard these three ships will help to further bolster their fuel efficiency, cut fuel consumption and reduce emissions.
The 230,000 gross-ton vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2029, 2031 and 2033, will feature over 3,000 guest staterooms and will be able to deliver fun to more guests than any ship in the world when carrying almost 8,000 passengers at full capacity. They will also be the largest ships ever built at Fincantieri.
This builds on the January 2025 announcement that Carnival Cruise Line’s fourth and fifth newbuild Excel-class ships will be equipped with Silverstream’s air lubrication system. These vessels will represent the second and third Excel-class ships to feature this technology.
With a capacity of over 5,000 passengers, the 180,000 GT vessels will be built at German shipyard Meyer Werft and will feature key sustainability technologies to support Carnival Corporation in meeting its decarbonisation goals.
As global and regional maritime decarbonisation regulations become more complex, Silverstream is supporting ship owners with proven technologies that are ready to deploy today. The Silverstream® System has already achieved emissions reductions and improved fuel efficiency onboard cruise ships.
The Silverstream® System works by reducing frictional resistance between the water and the hull surface, minimising net fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The system has been independently verified by leading classification societies, HSVA, the University of Southampton and Shell. Ships can be retrofitted with the Silverstream technology in 10 days or less, minimising disruptions to vessel operations.