Trimline and PEC are developing a new lightweight composite cabin that could soon become the norm
By
Jon Ingleton |
This article was first published in Spring/Summer 2018 issue of the International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
UK interiors specialist Trimline and composites specialist PEC are in the process of a developing a new lightweight composite cabin for the cruise and ferry markets.
The two companies are working as part of a consortium to design, engineer, manufacture and fit-out a prefabricated accommodation module built using non-metallic composite materials. The aim is ultimately to reduce material weight and a vessel’s carbon footprint, while also meeting current incombustibility, thermal boundary, smoke, toxicity and flame spread requirements.
“As a consortium, we started to look at the ways that composites could be used in cabin production and in 2013 we were awarded a grant enabling us to create a composite cabin prototype that met fire and safety regulations,” explains Neil Quinlan, who is managing the project at Trimline.
A number of companies and organisations have come together to help explore the feasibility of this vision, including Carnival Cruises, composite developer and innovator Gurit, Lloyd’s Register and the University of Southampton, as well as Trimline and PEC.
“The whole idea of the project was to see if it was feasible to produce a cabin built from non-metallic composite materials,” Quinlan says. “Following extensive research and development, we constructed a prototype cabin which proved that we’re able to do it.”
Pleasingly for Trimline and PEC, this prototype has been very well received. Quinlan is confident that there will be significant demand for what he deems an innovative development in the industry.
“We took the prototype cabin to the SMM event in Hamburg and we were flooded with enquiries,” Quinlan says. “We have been talking to yards and to ship owners and are keeping in close contact with them during this development stage. They can see the benefits of this cabin and they would like to use it so the early signs are extremely positive.”
During the next phase, PEC and Trimline will focus on reducing the cabin production cost and by the end of 2018 will develop a pilot production plant capable of making several hundred cabins per year. A full production plant will also be designed to satisfy the predicted increasing demand. Cabins will carry Marine Equipment Directive certification and other certifications relevant to each application and region.