Carnival Corporation has partnered with Silverstream Technologies to integrate its pioneering air lubrication system into three upcoming, LNG-powered Ace Class newbuilds at Fincantieri, starting with the Carnival Destiny in 2029. This strategic agreement builds on a decade-long collaboration to optimize mega-ship fuel efficiency, significantly reduce operational emissions, and support Carnival’s broader maritime decarbonisation goals.
London, England | August 17, 2026 – In a major stride for maritime energy efficiency, maritime air lubrication pioneer Silverstream Technologies has secured a landmark contract with Carnival Corporation. The world’s largest cruise company has specified the Silverstream® System for its upcoming class of record-breaking newbuilds, the LNG-powered Ace Class vessels being constructed at Fincantieri’s Italian yards.
The agreement kicks off with the class flagship, Carnival Destiny, which is scheduled for delivery in the summer of 2029. It underscores a deepening, decade-long decarbonisation partnership between the two industry heavyweights.
Engineering Efficiency at Mega-Scale
At 230,000 gross tons (GT), the three scheduled Ace Class ships will be the largest vessels ever constructed by Fincantieri and the largest to ever join Carnival Corporation’s global fleet. Accommodating nearly 8,000 passengers at full capacity across more than 3,000 staterooms, these colossal floating resorts present unique hydrodynamic challenges regarding fuel consumption and operational emissions.
To mitigate this, Carnival has integrated Silverstream’s proven air lubrication technology directly into the design blueprint.
“Our collaboration with Silverstream continues to deepen as we advance technologies that further improve energy efficiency across our fleet,” stated Bo-Erik Blomqvist, Senior Vice President for Corporate Shipbuilding at Carnival Corporation. “Their role in the Ace Class program reflects a collaboration grounded in continuous improvement and aligned priorities.”
How the Silverstream® System Operates
- Frictional Resistance Reduction: The technology generates a uniform carpet of micro-bubbles along the flat bottom of the vessel’s hull.
- Optimized Hydrodynamics: This pneumatic blanket drastically cuts the frictional drag between the water and the hull surface.
- Emissions & Fuel Savings: The resulting hydrodynamic efficiency drives down net fuel consumption, a critical advantage for dual-fueled LNG ships striving to maximize their green credentials.
- Rapid Retrofit Capabilities: While specified here for newbuilds from the keel up, the system can also be retrofitted to existing tonnage in 10 days or less.
Deepening a Decarbonisation Footprint
This latest contract cements a massive operational footprint for Silverstream across Carnival Corporation’s multi-brand ecosystem. The air lubrication technology is now specified or installed across 18 vessels within the group, comprising 13 in-service ships and 5 units currently in build or on order (two Excel-class ships at Meyer Werft and the three new Fincantieri Ace Class giants). Combined, the global Carnival fleet has accumulated over 127,000 system running hours utilizing Silverstream’s technology.
Noah Silberschmidt, Founder and CEO of Silverstream Technologies, highlighted the milestone “Building on our longstanding relationship of more than a decade, we are proud to, once again, support Carnival on their sustainability journey… With more than 250 orders, over 150 installations and a growing team across the UK and China, Silverstream is delivering at scale to meet the needs of the world’s leading shipowners.”
Fleet Rollout Timeline
| Vessel Name | Class | Yard | Estimated Delivery |
| Carnival Festivale | Excel-Class | Meyer Werft | Spring 2027 |
| Carnival Tropicale | Excel-Class | Meyer Werft | 2028 |
| Carnival Destiny | Ace Class | Fincantieri | Summer 2029 |
| Unnamed Hull II | Ace Class | Fincantieri | 2031 |
| Unnamed Hull III | Ace Class | Fincantieri | 2033 |
As environmental regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and regional bodies tighten further, marine fuel efficiency solutions capable of delivering immediate, verifiable gains, independently verified by classification authorities like HSVA, Shell, and the University of Southampton, are becoming mandatory for tier-one operators steering toward net-zero targets.
About Silverstream Technologies
Silverstream Technologies is the market leader in hull air lubrication, providing a fuel-agnostic clean technology that generates a uniform carpet of microbubbles to minimize frictional resistance between a ship’s hull and the water. Suitable for both newbuilds and retrofits across a diverse range of commercial vessel classes, the Silverstream® System unlocks a proven net fuel and emissions saving of 5% to 10%, helping major shipping operators future-proof their fleets against rising costs and strict environmental mandates.
Source: Silverstream Technologies