Silverstream: Cruise Segment to Lead Adoption of Clean Tech Ahead of 2020 Global Sulfur Cap

Silverstream says that the cruise sector will be the first among the shipping industry to adopt clean technologies ahead of a global sulfur content cap on bunkers, which is expected for 2020.

Silverstream Technologies (Silverstream) Monday said that the cruise sector will be the first among the shipping industry to adopt clean technologies ahead of a new 0.50 percent global sulfur content cap on bunkers, which is expected for 2020.

Silverstream, which has developed an air lubrication technology for the shipping industry that can be installed on both new and existing vessels, says that the cruise sector has demonstrated a "substantial appetite" for its system - a demand that the company attributes to both an effort toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) and impending stricter global sulfur regulations.

"Cruise operators want cost effective solutions that are easy to retrofit, simple to operate, deliver the efficiency benefits that are claimed, and do not take up a significant amount of space, which impacts revenue generation," said Noah Silberschmidt, Silverstream's CEO.

"The Silverstream System meets all these criteria while, demonstrating a clear return on investment.  For this reason, we are seeing increased uptake from the cruise sector."

Further, Silverstream says many cruise operators have already seen an increase in bunker costs as a result of the regulations in the emission control areas (ECAs) in which many of them operate - costs that the company says will further increase upon the implementation of a global 0.50 percent cap on sulfur in marine fuels.

Silverstream is said to already have signed a contract with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and is noted to be in the midst of "advanced" negotiations with a number of other cruise operators seeking to utilise Silverstream's technology.

Silversteam says its air lubrication system is noted to use 66 percent less energy compared to other air lubrication systems and needs less hull space as it uses comparatively fewer compressors and air pipes.

Last year, Ship & Bunker reported that sea trials completed on Silverstream's air lubrication system showed potential bunker savings of up to 5 percent in tankers, although these savings have since been shown to be as much as 8 percent for larger vessels.