Peace Boat and Arctech sign letter of intent for Ecoship
Peace Boat, Japan’s largest cruise organisation, has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Finnish shipbuilding company Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc., to construct the Ecoship (www.ecoship-pb.com), the world’s greenest cruise ship.
Peace Boat director and founder Yoshioka Tatsuya, Esko Mustamaki, CEO from Arctech and Jon Rysst, Regional Manager North Europe, from Classification Society DNV GL, announced the agreement during Nor-Shipping, the biggest maritime trade fair in Scandinavia.
Yoshioka said: “We have agreed with Arctech to build the Ecoship, the most innovative and ecologically friendly cruise vessel ever. We believe this ship will be a game changer for the shipping industry and will contribute to the protection of the environment. It will be a flagship for climate change. We are very happy to work together with a Finnish shipyard, and look forward to exploring clean and sustainable technologies with partners throughout this region, which is known for its environmental leadership”.
Esko Mustamaki, from Arctech Helsinki Shipyard, added: “We are very excited to work with Peace Boat in the construction of this very special vessel. Arctech has a long experience in design and construction of special products. Ecoship will combine Arctech’s know-how in technically advanced and environmentally friendly vessels with the well-established expertise of the Finnish shipbuilding network in designing and building of high-class cruise vessels and other special products. Arctech is a forerunner in developing and applying technological innovations, including LNG propulsion.”
Before the event, the CEO DNV GL – Maritime, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, said: “It’s really nice to see this innovative and exciting project proceed, this is a very positive development for Peace Boat. For us at DNV GL, it is always wonderful when such impressive projects using environmentally friendly technology take one step further towards being realized and we will continue to support this project”.
A final contract for the 2,000-passenger and 750-cabin 60,000 gt vessel is expected to be signed shortly. The new ship is scheduled for delivery in spring 2020.
Ecoship, with its nature-inspired architectural design by Spanish company Oliver Design, will be the platform for Peace Boat’s round-the-world cruise carrying 6,000 people per year; host exhibitions on green technology in up to 100 ports per year; and serve as a floating sustainability laboratory contributing to research on the ocean, climate and green marine technology. The ship also will create awareness and encourage active engagement with the challenges embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About Peace Boat
Peace Boat, Japan’s largest cruise organisation, is a social business that combines the four pillars of Education, Business, Advocacy and Travel. Peace Boat’s world cruises offer a unique programme of activities centered on experiential learning and intercultural communication. Peace Boat began sailing in 1983, and today sails for 80-100 day global voyages three times every year, carrying approximately 1000 passengers per voyage. Peace Boat is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations and was nominated for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
About Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc
Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc. specializes in the building of special vessels for demanding conditions and routes. The shipyard was established in 1865 and ever since more than 500 ships have been built in the same location. The shipyard has delivered the majority of the icebreakers in operation around the world. Arctech employs approximately 1400 persons, of which about 600 are Arctech employees and the others work as subcontractors. The shipyard is located in the central area of Helsinki, Finland, and is part of Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation group.
About DNV GL – Maritime
DNV GL is the world’s leading classification society and a recognised adviser for the maritime industry. We enhance safety, quality, energy efficiency and the environmental performance of the global shipping industry – across all vessel types and offshore structures. We invest heavily in research and development to find solutions, together with the industry, that address strategic, operational and regulatory challenges. For more information visit www.dnvgl.com/maritime.
