MS Riviera Resplendence

The river cruise ships operated by Scylla are renowned for their high quality, innovative technology and comfort. With a growing fleet that now numbers 44 ships, Scylla was also looking for an advanced, sustainable and reliable wastewater treatment system for its latest addition, the MS Riviera Resplendence.

On board this luxury hotel ship, which accommodates 178 guests and features three restaurants, a spa, wellness facilities and a swimming pool, all wastewater had to be:

• Collected efficiently
• Treated in an energy-efficient manner
• Comply with strict environmental standards (including MEPC.227(64) and the Rhine Navigation Regulations)
• And be treated to such an extent that it can be safely discharged overboard.

With limited space in the hull and high standards for comfort, noise levels and sustainability, a modular, compact and extremely reliable system was essential.

In collaboration with Marineservice Holland, Qua-vac implemented a fully integrated wastewater treatment system from Evac’s portfolio:

MBR (Membrane BioReactor)

The system combines efficient collection, advanced treatment technology and smart, space-saving engineering. This biological treatment plant processes:

• Black water (toilets)
• Grey water (showers, washbasins and washing machines)
• Kitchen water (after treatment via a grease trap)

Using membrane filtration and biological degradation, the wastewater is naturally broken down and filtered. This produces a very high-quality effluent, meaning that up to 98 per cent of the treated water can be safely discharged overboard in accordance with the applicable environmental legislation for international river cruises.

Comfortable and water-saving vacuum toilets
Qua-vac supplied the Evac Optima 5 vacuum toilets for the sanitary facilities. These toilets are perfectly in keeping with the ship’s high standards of comfort and offer a number of advantages:

• Very low water consumption of just 0.5 to 1.2 litres per flush
• Quiet operation for optimum comfort in the cabins
• Compact installation
• Low maintenance requirements

The vacuum toilets contribute to a comfortable and sustainable cruise experience.

Compact grease trap for kitchen waste water
To optimise the performance of the treatment plant, a compact grease trap was installed in the bistro. This removes grease and food residues from the kitchen waste water before it reaches the MBR plant.

This reduces the load on the biological treatment process, increases the system’s reliability and extends the plant’s service life.

Smart engineering for maximum space saving
The entire system has a modular design and is specifically tailored to the available space on board. Thanks to redesigned engineering, the originally planned ejector tank could be dispensed with entirely.

This optimisation yielded several benefits:

• Additional space savings in the plant room
• Lower energy consumption thanks to a more efficient system design
• Fewer components and therefore easier maintenance
• Improved accessibility to the installation

Furthermore, all stainless steel tanks are supplied with welded flanges, allowing them to be installed without the need for additional work. The various modules are arranged compactly and optimally integrated within the ship’s limited technical spaces.

With the integrated wastewater treatment and vacuum system from Qua-vac and Evac, the MS Riviera Resplendence has a future-proof solution that combines sustainability, comfort and efficiency.

Key benefits:

• Up to 98% treated water that can be safely discharged in accordance with MEPC.227(64) and the Rhine Navigation Regulations
• Minimal drinking water consumption thanks to water-saving vacuum toilets
• Complete treatment of black, grey and kitchen wastewater within a single integrated system
• Compact and quiet installation in keeping with the vessel’s luxurious character
• Extra space in the engine room due to the elimination of the ejector tank
• Lower energy consumption thanks to optimised engineering
• Simpler maintenance due to a streamlined system configuration
• Modular and future-proof technology, suitable for both new-build and refit projects

With this project, Qua-vac is building on a partnership with Scylla that spans more than 37 years. The MS Riviera Resplendence thus not only highlights the high level of comfort offered by the Scylla fleet, but also the ongoing focus on sustainable and innovative marine technology.

Would you like to know more about sustainable on-board wastewater treatment? Please contact our marine specialists!