Luxury cruise ship company Silversea has announced the name of its first Nova-class, environmentally conscious ship. The Silver Nova is the result of the company’s Project Evolution new-build program.
Construction began in November 2021 with a steel-cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The hybrid luxury cruise ship is scheduled for delivery in summer 2023 and will feature a hydrodynamic design with optimized technology to reduce the vessel’s impact on the environment.
The Silver Nova will be capable of local emission-free operation in ports utilizing a fuel cell and battery system. At sea, the vessel will use liquified natural gas as its main fuel. Shore power connections will enable the ship to shut down its main generators in various ports by plugging in to an onshore energy supply. This will also help to reduce onboard local emissions to zero.
The ship features other sustainable innovations, including a micro auto gasification system to reduce the volume of onboard waste, resulting in fewer incineration emissions. With an environmentally conscious design, Silver Nova is projected to achieve an Energy Efficiency Design Index rating that is approximately 25% better than International Maritime Organization requirements. Furthermore, the vessel’s hybrid technology will enable a 40% overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per double suite compared with the company’s previous Muse class of ships.
Due to the vessel’s hybrid power system, Silversea claims that Silver Nova will be the industry’s first hybrid luxury cruise ship free of local emissions at port.
“Our Nova-class ships represent a significant investment in unprecedented technological solutions. They support our mission to preserve the planet without compromising on comfort or luxury,” said Roberto Martinoli, president and CEO of Silversea Cruises. “Silver Nova is the manifestation of Silversea and Royal Caribbean Group’s long-term commitment to sustainability.”