By
Amber Hickman |
Royal Caribbean Group, Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku and the Finnish Government have signed a maritime declaration to prepare a roadmap for producing climate-neutral ships in Finland.
New innovations and technologies will be piloted and tested on Royal Caribbean’s ships, and Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku also aim to assemble a digital demonstration of a climate-neutral ship as part of the Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment’s (MEAE) sustainable maritime industry development programme.
In addition, the partnership will strengthen the innovation of the organisations and the wider maritime industry, support networking to help curb economic challenges, develop new solutions and secure the long-time viability of the maritime industry.
“The Finnish maritime ecosystem is built on the innovativeness, expertise and skills of the thousands of leading shipbuilders at Meyer Turku,” said Mika Lintilä at Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs. “This new declaration will secure a future in which the maritime industry continues to make strides in our decarbonisation goals and economic growth priorities for years to come.”
The partnership will also advance Royal Caribbean’s Destination Net Zero strategy to reduce carbon intensity by double digits by 2025, introduce a net-zero cruise ship by 2035 and fully decarbonise operations by 2050.
“Our partners in Finland have helped us deliver some of the world's most impressive and sustainable ships of their time, including our newest ship debuting in January 2024, Icon of the Seas,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “This new partnership sets the stage for future innovations and allows us and the maritime industry to continue pursuing sustainability at the highest level.”
Meyer Turku is currently contracted to build Royal Caribbean’s unnamed second and third Icon-class ships.