Sustainable stateroom – A cabin concept that reduces a ship’s carbon footprint

In August 2024, Piikkio Works joined Meyer Turku’s Sustainable Stateroom project. Project Manager Roni Niemi, together with Petri Tontti and Katja Raitio, who were appointed to lead the design work, began close collaboration with Meyer Turku’s team. Their task was to turn visions into reality. From Meyer Turku, the project involved Sarita Manikas, Liina Vahala, Mirja Rasi-Mäki, Jenni Jokiniemi, Pinja Olin, and Reetta Lindberg.

The new cabin concept combines new materials with structural solutions developed through product development. Some of these can be implemented quickly if needed, while others will progress gradually toward readiness for serial production.

Designing the Sustainable Stateroom concept requires many pieces to fall into place: the choices must be responsible, the cabin must offer a pleasant experience for guests, and the overall solution must be compatible with Piikkio Works’ production line.

– Together with the shipyard, we have aimed to select materials with a lower carbon footprint and with properly documented sustainability aspects. In addition, if locally produced options are available, we are happy to choose them, says Niemi.

The new cabin concept also features lighter structures. Even small weight savings matter: ships contain thousands of cabins, so the cumulative impact is significant. Sustainability is considered at every stage of the process – from production and transportation to use and eventual dismantling.

A concrete example of a future cabin

The mock-up cabin and its surrounding demonstration area will provide shipping companies with a concrete, tangible example of a more sustainable cabin and the solutions used within it.

How has this project affected Piikkio Works’ operations?

– This has been a challenging but also rewarding project. Collaboration with the shipyard team has gone extremely well. We have become familiar with new suppliers and gained new kinds of expertise. Through this project, our entire organization has had the opportunity to contribute concretely to creating a more sustainable cabin. The experience gained from this project is extremely important for future development, Niemi summarizes.