Meyer Turku has launched a five-year research program focused on developing cruise ship concepts and floating infrastructure for the coming decades, according to a press release.

The MERiON program, co-funded by Business Finland, will run through 2030 and increase combined research investments by Meyer Turku and its ecosystem partners by up to 85 million euros.

“Through MERiON, we can respond even better to our customers’ changing needs, strengthen our ecosystem and create new business opportunities for the entire Finnish maritime cluster,” explains Tom Degerman, chief commercial officer at Meyer Turku.

This is the second time the Finnish shipyard has been selected for Business Finland’s leading company funding program.

MERiON continues Meyer Turku’s research efforts following the previous NEcOLEAP program.

The program is divided into three main clusters, namely future operations, future structures and materials, and future maritime technologies.

Research will focus on circular economy solutions, digitalization, structural design, clean energy solutions and net zero materials.

The program will also study floating structures that can be integrated into ships’ operating environments, allowing certain functions to be transferred from cruise ships to floating infrastructure.

MERiON is carried out in collaboration with companies, universities and research institutes and is managed by GT Lab, Meyer Turku’s open innovation unit.