At the Seatrade Cruise Global event that ended in Miami last week, Meyer Group's visionary ideas and the company's technological leadership in maritime industry products were presented. For the first time, sketches of the climate-neutral cruise ship concept under development in Meyer Turku's NEcOLEAP research project were also on display. In addition, Alfred Maritime, part of the Meyer Group, presented the Meyer energy management system based on artificial intelligence. Meyer Floating Solutions' floating docks and terminals and the visionary future concept Origin completed the offer of the Meyer stand.
The climate-neutral cruise ship will be developed until 2025
The outlines of the climate-neutral Avatar cruise ship concept are the result of research projects of the NEcOLEAP project. MEYER Turku's goal is to develop a climate-neutral cruise ship concept by the end of 2025 and to be ready to build one in 2030. "The Business Finland-funded research and development project NECoLEAP and Meyer's work on a climate-neutral ship concept were presented at the exhibition stand. We also revealed the outlines of our new concept, which will make cruises more sustainable in the future," says Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku. The Avatar concept includes, among other things, automated logistics, alternative materials, more sustainable cabin design and more energy efficiency optimization. The holistic approach extends to the end of the product's life cycle, emphasizing material choices, recycling and circular economy principles.
Unique product selection in the industry
Meyer also presented its unique product range at Seatrade Cruise Global. Meyer Floating Solutions' innovative floating docks and cruise terminal selection and the Icon of the Seas ship model were included. In December 2023, Meyer Turku delivered the Icon of the Seas ship, which is one of the world's most innovative and efficient cruise ships. "Meyer is the only shipyard that can offer a complete range of river cruise ships to large ocean liners such as Icon of the Seas. With our tradition of innovation and new products, such as Meyer Floating Solutions' floating docks and terminals, we can create added value for ship owners and port operators," says Meyer Group Sales Director Thomas Weigend.
The Meyer Energy Management System platform was developed by Alfred's IIoT and data experts together with the Meyer Energy Efficiency Team, and its purpose is to increase the efficiency of ships' operations. The Meyer energy management system helps ship operators and crew to understand and analyze the ship's performance. The platform offers the crew useful suggestions for optimizing energy efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. Combined with accurate performance forecasts and multiple onboard systems, it helps the crew reduce the ship's emissions.
The newest future concept is called Origin. It meets the housing needs of the future and responds to global trends with weather-independent features that work all year round. The key point of the design concept is a ship without the typical "ship-looking" exterior and interior.
