Virgin Voyages’ last scrubber-fitted newbuild floated out in Italy

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has launched Brilliant Lady, the last of four scrubber-fitted ships for Virgin Voyages, a cruise operator of Virgin Group.

The launching ceremony took place at Sestri Ponente (Genoa) shipyard on 25 November. Brilliant Lady, as well as its sister ships Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady, weigh about 110,000 gross tons, are 278 meters long and 38 wide. 

They are able to accommodate 2,770 passengers and 1,160 crew members. The ships are equipped with an energy production system of approximately 1 MW, which uses the diesel engine’s waste heat.

In addition to a scrubber system, which is a device for the sustainable waste management of sulphur dioxides, the units are also fitted with a catalytic converter which reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides.

They are entirely equipped with led lights to reduce energy consumption, while the hydrodynamic design of the hull provides excellent performance with consequent fuel savings.

In 2018, Virgin Voyages placed an order for the fourth cruise ship at Fincantieri. Under the contract, which is valued at around €700 million, the new vessel is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2023. The first vessel in this environmentally friendly class, Scarlet Lady, was delivered in 2020.