Japan’s Peace Boat has put pen to paper with Finnish shipyard Arctech Helsinki to construct what it promises will be the world’s greenest cruiseship.
The two companies along with classification society DNV GL signed a letter of intent for the 60,000-gt Ecoship during Nor-Shipping.
Peace Boat first revealed plans to build the Ecoship in 2015 but it had not announced the shipyard that would take over the project.
Yoshioka Tatsuya, founder of Peace Boat, said: “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.”
Ecoship will have the capacity to carry 2,000 passengers and is scheduled for delivery in spring 2020.
It will be equipped with dual-fuel engines and will feature a variety of enhancements that Peace Boat claims will reduce propulsion energy by 20%, cut the electricity load by 50% and chop 40% from carbon dioxide emissions.
Peace Boat is a non-profit NGO that organises educational-focused world cruises to promote peace, human rights and respect for the environment.
Esko Mustamaki from Arctech Helsinki said: “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.”
