Meyer Turku will lead a €100 million project to develop carbon-neutral technological solutions for cruise ships, after receiving funding from Business Finland, which aims to increase investment in research, development and innovation in Finland.
Business Finland has contributed €20 million to Meyer Turku for the project, while the shipbuilder itself has contributed €30 million. Business Finland has earmarked an additional €50 million for the companies, research institutes, and universities participating in the ecosystem. The project will contribute to Business Finland's goal of increasing the share of research and development in the Finnish economy.
The ultimate goal of the NEcOLEAP project is to develop a climate-neutral cruise ship concept by 2025 and achieve carbon-neutral shipbuilding by 2030. Meyer Turku estimates that an order for neutral vessels will create approximately 9,500 jobs.
“The research and development will focus on four areas: the cruise ship itself, shipyard operations, the introduction of smart technologies, and the open-minded professionals of the future,” said Ilkka Rytkölä, project manager at Meyer Turku. “Through this collaborative network, we will create an opportunity for thousands of Finnish experts to innovate and be part of something entirely new.”.
The NEcOLEAP project will leverage Meyer Turku's existing cooperation network of approximately 1,350 partner companies, a number expected to grow to around 1,500 through the project. Participation is anticipated from universities, research institutes, large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and startups.
“Building a climate-neutral cruise ship will require extensive cooperation between companies, universities, and research institutes, as well as new ways of working,” said Tapani Pulli, Executive Vice President of Meyer Turku. “Only in this way can we stand out in the increasingly competitive maritime industry and maintain our pioneering position in the global market.”
