Meyer Turku continues to push the boundaries of sustainable shipbuilding with a major step: the adoption of central heating for ships under construction. Traditionally, oil-burning stoves have been used for heating during colder months, but with the introduction of a water-based central heating system, significant reductions in emissions and costs have been achieved.
The transition to central heating was first explored in late 2023, leading to infrastructure upgrades that enabled the deployment of a movable water-based heating system aboard vessels. Since its implementation in late autumn 2024, this system has replaced approximately 428 cubic meters of oil, cutting CO2 emissions by around 1,042 tons by early March 2025. Beyond environmental benefits, this shift also brings substantial cost savings due to the higher efficiency and lower expense of district heating compared to oil-based solutions. Looking ahead, Meyer Turku aims to expand this system throughout ships under construction, with a long-term goal of eliminating oil-based heating entirely.
“The best kind of energy is the one that we never use. In our sustainability works we want to focus on concrete actions, and I believe that this is a great example of that”, says Meyer Turku Head of ESG Hanna Haaksi.
Meyer Turku is also enhancing overall energy efficiency at the shipyard through several key initiatives:
- Compressed Air Optimization: The implementation of the Sigma Air Manager (SAM) system in autumn 2023 has reduced unnecessary compressor idling, balanced loads, and optimized pressure levels, improving efficiency and reducing electricity consumption by approximately 1,500 MWh annually.
- LED and Smart Lighting Solutions Between 2018 and 2025, upgrades including LED lights and intelligent DALI lighting systems have improved illumination quality, enhanced safety, and reduced energy use by 2,229 MWh annually.
- Production Facility Climate Control: Standardizing and optimizing heating across four production buildings has stabilized temperature fluctuations and increased efficiency, saving 1,300 MWh annually.
- Ventilation System Upgrades: Adjustments to operating schedules and airflow levels based on production activity have led to significant energy savings of 3,885 MWh annually across six ventilation systems.
- Heat Recovery Enhancements: Improvements in liquid and air heat recovery systems, including smart controls that minimize energy waste, have resulted in further annual savings of 2,820 MWh.
Looking to the future, Meyer Turku is committed to continuous improvement in energy efficiency and sustainability. With advancing technology, the shipyard is embracing innovative solutions to further optimize energy use, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen its position as a leader in sustainable maritime industry practices. By integrating energy efficiency into everyday operations, Meyer Turku is not just adapting to change but actively driving it and setting new standards for sustainability in shipbuilding.
Source: Meyer Turku
