By
Rebecca Gibson |
Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku is to collaborate with Finnish marine interior designer and supplier NIT and the University of Turku’s Technology Research Center to explore sustainability in shipbuilding.
The Sustainability and Transparency in Shipbuilding Networks (SUSTIS) project will explore how to improve the lifecycle costs of ships and improve manufacturing and operational sustainability.
“Sustainability has been part of the shipbuilding business for years, but we haven’t discovered all the connections and opportunities yet,” said Jaana Hänninen, environmental manager at Meyer Turku. “It is rapidly becoming a big everyday issue. We need accurate data and a transparent process, and we need to implement cradle-to-cradle thinking for this industry. We appreciate our suppliers who have the courage to collaborate in this kind of project, think outside the box and develop their businesses in the long term. We are happy looking into the future with NIT on this project.”
NIT, which has been one of the Turku yard's turnkey suppliers since 2004, will study how elements such as ship interiors and piping can be designed and manufactured more sustainably.
““It’s increasingly important for cruise operators to understand all aspects of sustainability and get reliable data for their investment decisions, as the lifecycle of a modern cruise ship can be extended to 40 years or even more,” said Matti Koskela, project manager at NIT. “We will be studying the lifecycle costs of steel pipes and comparing the results to the sustainability performance of plastic solutions. By understanding more we can better serve the shipyard and the shipowner.”
NIT has previously worked with Meyer Turku to design interiors and install technical solutions onboard TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff vessels, including Mein Schiff 4 and 5. The company will also develop restaurants, bars, crew areas and stairwells for Mein Schiff 7 and 8.