German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has held a keel laying ceremony for the LNG and fuel-cell powered cruise ship Silver Ray.
The eco-friendly vessel is the second ship in Silversea’s Nova class and is designed for operation in Royal Caribbean Group’s fleet. The ceremony was held at Meyer Werft’s shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and a commemorative coin with the silhouette of Silver Ray was placed under a pre-assembled module as a symbol of good luck.
“We were delighted to welcome select members of our valued trade community to the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg to witness this milestone in the build of Silver Ray — one of the first times that Travel Advisors have attended the keel laying of an ultra-luxury ship,” said Barbara Muckermann, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises, said.
Net-zero emissions cruising
The Silver Ray is scheduled to enter service in 2024 and will follow the launch of sister vessel Silver Nova. Its dual fuel design is expected to significantly reduce emissions both at sea and dock, and it features capacity for 728 guests with crew capacity of 556.
"The Nova class will set new standards on the way to net zero emissions cruising. We are therefore delighted to take another symbolic step in the construction of Silver Ray today with the keel laying. I am sure that the ultra-luxury ship will be able to meet the high demands of her guests and will inspire them with her innovative design," Jan Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft, commented.
Silversea Cruises is the ultra-luxury and expedition cruise brand of the Royal Caribbean Group. Both the vessels were hailed as ‘important milestones’ on Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to achieving a net zero newbuild.
Nova class
Royal Caribbean announced its first LNG-fuelled cruise ships as far back as 2016 and since then has invested in building a new generation of cruise ships with reduced emissions profiles.
“Anticipation is building for the introduction of our pioneering Nova class ships, with Silver Nova set to join the fleet this summer. In addition to being two of the most sustainable cruise ships ever launched, the Nova class ships will introduce an asymmetrical design and a horizontal layout for the first time in our cruise line’s history, as well as all-new public venues that are among the most spacious at sea,” Muckermann added.
Located on the river Ems in northern Germany, Meyer Werft is one of the country’s leading shipyards, and a major builder of luxury passenger ships.
