seatec - Finnish marine technology review 1/2017 | Page 18

Harri Kulovaara , RCCL ’ s chief of ship design , believes that fuel cells offer very interesting design possibilities .
“ Our common aim is to develop fuel cells to a level that allows their usage in a significant application to power the ship ’ s hotel functions ,” outlines Meyer .
TRENDING TECH
The introduction of fuel cells represents another dramatic step forward for the maritime industry , which has , so far , made only limited experiments using the technology . Harri Kulovaara , RCCL ’ s chief of ship design , believes that fuel cells offer very interesting design possibilities . As the technology becomes smaller and more efficient , fuel cells become more viable in a significant way to power the ship ’ s hotel functions .
“ We will begin testing those possibilities as soon as we can , and look to maximise their use when Icon class debuts .”
Royal Caribbean has been eyeing fuel cells for nearly a decade , and the company believes the technology is now at a stage of development that justifies investment . Kulovaara points out that there is a long lead time for Icon class , and RCCL will use that time to work with Meyer Turku to adapt fuel cell technology for maritime use . Additional regulatory standards also need to be developed for the technology , somewhere down the road .
But what other goods will the ship with the big bold name entail ? RCCL says that many of the Icon design elements are in very early stages , due to the extralong pipeline . The Icon ships are “ likely ” to accommodate approximately 5,000 passengers , but details are still being worked out . Icon is the first new ship class announced by RCCL since Celebrity Cruises ’ new Edge class , which debuts in 2018 .
SMOOTH SAILING
With the new orders , Meyer Turku shipyard pushes past all previous achievements – including the “ Golden Age ” ( 2007 – 2009 ) which saw the construction of the world ’ s largest cruise ships , Oasis and Allure of the Seas . As the order book now spans eight years , the shipyard can enjoy a level of sta-
18 seatec 1 / 2017