July 21, 2023 - Papenburg-based MEYER WERFT has handed over the brand new Silver Nova to Silversea Cruises in Eemshaven, Holland. Extensive sea tests preceded the handover of the 243 meter long luxury ship.
The Silver Nova is the first of two newbuilds in the Nova class. The first cruises will start in mid-August 2023. A sister ship of the Silver Nova, the Silver Ray, will begin service next year. One of the new features of this ship class is the propulsion system, which consists of a combination of LNG propulsion, fuel cell system and batteries.
Silver Nova - Photo © MEYER WERFT
Jan Meyer, Managing Director of MEYER WERFT, explains that the ship has the best possible measures to reduce emissions. A fuel cell system is used on board in addition to the LNG engines. Later it will supply the entire hotel with energy. A ship's battery system absorbs peak loads, increases the ship's efficiency and significantly reduces fuel consumption. Another innovation: A newly developed Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS) converts waste on board into thermal energy, with the consequence that the efficiency of the ship continues to increase.
Silver Nova - Balconies aft - Photo © MEYER WERFT
Silver Nova in numbers
Gross tonnage 54.700
Length in meters 243
Width in meters 30
Passengers 728
Crew 556
restaurants 8
Bars & lounges 13