At least 20 per cent of fleet will use the technology to cut hull drag, fuel consumption and carbon emissions
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Corporation plans to install air lubrication systems (ALS) on at least 20 per cent of the ships sailing for more than half of its cruise brands by 2027, aiming to significantly cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
The corporation first implemented Silverstream’s ALS technology on AIDA Cruises’ AIDAprima in 2016 and currently has four systems operating on ships in its AIDA Cruises and Princess Cruises brands. The ALS technology creates a cushion of air bubbles that lubricate the flat bottom of a ship’s hull, decreasing hull drag by about five per cent. This reduces fuel consumption and improves the ship’s energy savings across a wide speed range.
By the end of 2022, Carnival Corporation will have equipped five additional ships with the Silverstream Systems ALS, including two vessels in both its Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises (UK) brands. The corporation plans to carry out at least 10 more installations for existing and newbuild ships across more than half of its cruise line brands over the next five years and aims to continue expanding the ALS programme over time.
“The installation of air lubrication technology is another example of our ongoing efforts to drive energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption and emissions throughout our fleet,” said Bill Burke, chief maritime officer at Carnival Corporation. “We look forward to expanding the ALS programme and furthering our long-term sustainability strategy to continually invest in a broad range of energy reduction initiatives, which has included over $350 million invested in energy efficiency improvements since 2016.”