The international consortium specializing in cruise shipbuilding, MEYER Group, presented a cruise ship concept managing without fossil fuels.
The “Reverse” concept, introduced at the global cruise trade fair in Fort Lauderdale FL, is a concept that shows what a cruise ship could look like in the year 2100.
The exterior of the ship concept is inspired by the rock penguin and equipped with a closed glass facade/urban gardening areas as well as drone landing pads. The focal point inside is formed by central public areas.
The energy concept onboard relies on innovation and using of wave energy via horizontal wings on the hull. There are also solar and fuel cells along with wind energy to manage with no fossil fuels.
In 2023, the group’s shipyard in Germany, Meyer Werft, is expected to deliver a new eco-friendly vessel for Silversea Cruises, Silver Nova. Just like her sistership, Silver Ray, the ship will be fitted with dual-fuel LNG engines complemented with a fuel cell system with a 4-megawatt output.
The German shipyard of MEYER teamed up with German battery technology company Freudenberg e-Power Systems and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group to develop a brand-new fuel cell system specifically tailored to the maritime sector. This has been a multi-year project that aims to create a fuel cell system for vessels, which will power the Group’s Nova class cruise ships and represent a step toward achieving a net zero new build. The partners expect the first maritime demonstrator system to be completed later in 2023 as work continues toward the application.
Additionally, 2 more LNG-fueled ships for RCI-Royal Caribbean are under construction at Meyer Turku (Finland). One of them, Icon OTS, is deemed the world's largest cruise ship and will be delivered later in 2023. The 2nd ship entered the building phase on February 15th with the traditional steel-cutting ceremony.