Royal Caribbean Group sets course for...

The environmentally friendly ship could by on the water by 2035

A “roadmap” for the production of climate-neutral ships is to be prepared as part of a sustainable shipbuilding declaration signed by Royal Caribbean Group.

The strategic agreement with the Finnish government and the Meyer Turku Oy shipyard addresses how to chart a course for more innovative shipbuilding.

The group has agreements with the shipyard to build unnamed second and third ships in the Icon class for its Royal Caribbean International brand, and Mein Schiff 7, currently under construction for the Tui Cruises joint venture.

Royal Caribbean recently floated out Icon of the Seas for the first time since its assembly began nine months ago.

The partnership is also designed to advance Royal Caribbean Group’s strategy to decarbonise its operations by 2050, including reducing carbon intensity by double digits by 2025 compared to 2019, as well as the introduction of a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

Mika Lintila, form Finland’s economic affairs ministry, said: “The Finnish maritime ecosystem is built on the innovativeness, expertise and skills of the thousands of leading shipbuilders at Meyer Turku, and Icon of the Seas is the latest example of what can be built here in Finland.

“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.”

Meyer Turku Oy chief executive Tim Meyer added: "While expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration will always be key to the success of shipbuilding, we recognise the need to continuously evolve and create strategies to reduce carbon emissions.

“This commitment will set us up, as an industry, to innovate and adapt in how we design, build and operate ships. This challenge presents significant opportunities for the Finnish maritime industry to take the lead globally and bring to market new technologies and products.”