May 16, 2023
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Royal Caribbean Group’s Silversea Cruises achieved a key milestone with the float-out of its new and technologically-advanced cruise ship, the Silver Nova, on 28th April ‘23 at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
This latest vessel is the first cruise ship designed for Silversea Cruises since its acquisition by Royal Caribbean Group between 2018- 2020. She is also the maritime industry’s first hybrid luxury cruise ship without any local emissions while at the port.
The 54,700 gross tons Silver Nova has novel propulsion and power plant technology. Hence, she is also the first ship of the Royal Carribean Group to function on LNG as the main fuel source. Scheduled to enter service in August 2023, she is also the 12th ship in Silversea’s fleet.
Video Credits: Silversea Cruises / YouTube
Her power system has fuel cells and batteries to power operations when it is at the port, with an output of 4 megawatts. The innovative and energy-efficient system functions with batteries to eliminate emissions when the vessel is unable to utilise shore power. Additionally, the battery system allows peak load levelling to increase its power plant’s overall efficiency.
Silver Nova’s hull has a hydrodynamic shape that exceeds the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Index by 25%, per Silversea Cruises. The cruise line reported that its hybrid power plant would enable the cruise ship to attain a 40% reduction in emissions compared to their old Muse-class cruise vessels.
The float-out took many hours to reposition Silver Nova from the massive building hall to the fitting dock. In this process, its hull was cleaned, the funnel was attached, and LNG and radar masts were also installed.
Another feature which makes Silver Nova unique from other Silversea cruises is space. She can accommodate 728 passengers and 556 crew members. Her intelligent design offers the best ocean and port views.
She is expected to spend her 1st cruising season in the Mediterranean. For the winter of 2023-2024, she will head to the Carribean and South America.
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