Royal Caribbean Group’s luxury brand, Silversea Cruises, will launch what is claimed to be the cruise industry’s first hybrid-powered ship in 2023.

The new class of ships, known as Project Evolution, will use three sustainable power sources – a fuel cell system, battery technology and dual fuel engines using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the main fuel.

The cruise group said this hybrid solution with fuel cell technology “allows the ship to be free of local emissions while at port — another industry first”.

Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Group, said: “Silversea’s newest ship class is a significant leap forward in our commitment to sustainable ship design and our journey to reduce our environmental footprint.

“We first announced our fuel cell ambitions several years ago. Through dedication and perseverance, we are now proud to introduce the first ship with large-scale fuel cell technology capable of achieving emission-free port operations.”

The hybrid technology not only helps in port, but also allows Project Evolution to achieve a 40% overall reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions per double occupancy when compared to the brand’s previous class of ships.

Roberto Martinoli, president and chief executive of Silversea Cruises, added: “These advancements support our desire to showcase the world to our guests and to do so in a mindful and environmentally responsible way.”