Finish shipbuilder Meyer Turku has developed a net-zero cruise ship as part of its AVATAR project.
The vessel’s lifecycle carbon footprint was successfully reduced by more than 90 per cent compared to the baseline defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The vessel includes technologies and solutions expected to be viable and available by 2030, with more experimental concepts deliberately excluded.
“No single solution is enough – for example, simply switching fuels will not achieve the desired impact,” said Liina Vahala, head of product development at Meyer Turku. “A net-zero vessel concept is the sum of many complementary measures.”
Minimising energy consumption was a central focus, so an energy simulation model – a digital twin – was created to evaluate the impact of different design choices across the ship’s energy system. For example, more energy efficient air-handling units could reduce heating and cooling power demand on cabin decks by approximately 50 per cent.
The ship features a more streamlined and lightweight structure than traditional cruise ships, while using bio-methanol as a fuel source and utilises wind-assisted propulsion technology and solar panels.
Creating this concept vessel was one of the key objectives of NEcOLEAP, a four-year research and development programme co-funded by Business Finland. As part of NEcOLEAP, the AVATAR project brought together a broad network of experts across multiple disciplines. Development and innovation work is set to continue but the concept vessel has been critically reviewed by a third party.
“AVATAR has provided a solid foundation for our development work,” said Anu Ahola, chief strategy and transformation officer at Meyer Turku. “We now have a substantial portfolio of new ideas, tools, and next-generation ship technologies. AVATAR should not be viewed merely as a single project or concept, but as a new way of working at Meyer Turku. It is essential we continue to develop expertise related to net zero vessels across our network and the entire ecosystem.”
Meyer Turku will present the concept vessel in more detail at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, Florida, in April 2026.