Products & services

Elomatic secures a major delivery contract with Carnival Corporation for Elogrid installation on its XL-Class vessels

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 26 June 2025 26 June 2025

Elomatic, an international consulting and engineering company, has today announced the signing of a major delivery contract with Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, for the installation of its innovative Elogrid tunnel thruster technology on Carnival Corporation’s entire XL-Class fleet, including nine retrofit vessels and two newbuilds. The installation program will begin in Autumn 2025 and continue through to 2028, aligned with scheduled dry dockings.

This contract represents a major milestone in the deployment of Elomatic’s Elogrid technology. For the XL-class cruise vessels, whether installed on newbuilds or retrofits, Elogrid delivers measurable benefits across key performance areas, including reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It also reduces the impact on vessel maneuverability compared to traditional grids, supporting safe and efficient operations.

Jukka Suvanto, Senior Sales Manager at Elomatic, said: “The deployment of Elogrid technology on these high-capacity cruise vessels represents a significant milestone, not only for Elomatic, but also for the maritime industry's transition to more sustainable operations. We’re proud to support Carnival Corporation’s environmental objectives with a solution that brings measurable energy savings. This achievement reflects Elomatic’s extensive expertise in the marine industry and our ability to combine flow and structural analysis with advanced product modelling to create solutions that improve efficiency.”

Bo-Erik Blomqvist, SVP, Corporate Shipbuilding with Carnival Corporation, commented: “Elomatic and Carnival Corporation share a strong commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, making this collaboration a natural alignment of values. As we continue on our sustainability journey, partnering with companies such as Elomatic further enables us to leverage engineering innovations in our fleet and operations to deliver on our sustainability roadmap.”

This agreement further highlights the importance of forward-thinking partnerships in driving the cruise industry’s transition towards lower emissions, quieter, and more efficient maritime transport.

Photo: Carnival's Mardi Gras in Roatan, Honduras. Credit: Teijo Niemela

Evac Optima 7 wins two Red Dot Awards for Product Design and Sustainability Design

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 25 June 2025 25 June 2025

Evac Group has announced that its newest generation vacuum toilet, Evac Optima 7, has been awarded two prestigious Red Dot Awards - one for Product Design and one for Sustainability Design. These accolades celebrate Evac’s leadership in creating innovative, sustainable sanitation solutions for the maritime industry.

Developed in collaboration with the renowned design agency Pentagon Design, the Evac Optima 7 sets a new benchmark for comfort, aesthetics, and eco-efficiency. It features a soft-close mechanism and hidden fixings for a sleek, seamless aesthetic, and operates at just 72 dB – quieter than many traditional models. Its rimless, antimicrobial design eliminates 99.99% of surface bacteria. Evac Optima 7 represents the next evolution in onboard sanitation – uniting modern engineering with timeless Nordic design.

Optima 7 is designed to meet the needs of cruise ships, and is equally well-suited for other passenger vessels, ferries, and yachts, offering the performance, reliability, and sustainability that maritime operators require.

Jari-Petri Voutilainen, Senior Designer at Pentagon Design said, "When we began this project, the goal was simple: to blend cutting-edge vacuum technology with timeless Nordic design. Winning two Red Dot Awards confirms our belief that great design should not only elevate user experience but also contribute to a more sustainable world."

For Evac, the product reflects decades of expertise, with over 1 million vacuum toilets delivered since 1979. Optima 7 was engineered to meet the rising demands for water-saving, easy-to-maintain, and hygienic solutions – using only 1.2 liters of freshwater per flush.

Robin Mérus, Strategic Account Director at Evac Group said, “We knew from the start we were not launching just another vacuum toilet. We were introducing a flagship – one that delivers quiet comfort, antimicrobial protection, effortless installation, and a modern aesthetic. It’s everything our customers value, built into one seamless experience.”

The design process was as rigorous as it was collaborative. The engineering team at Evac worked across disciplines to ensure performance was never compromised by design – and vice versa.

Lauri Aalto, Product Line Manager at Evac Group commented, “With Evac Optima 7, we’ve reached a new milestone. It took countless tests and prototypes to achieve rimless flushing at such low water consumption while simplifying installation and maintenance. These awards are not only a recognition of what we’ve accomplished – they’re fuel for us to keep pushing boundaries.”

Evac Optima 7 is coming soon to cruise ships setting sail in 2027 and 2028.

Marioff pioneers IoT innovation in water mist fire protection

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 26 June 2025 26 June 2025

Marioff, a global leader in water mist fire protection, is among the first in the fire protection industry to introduce an Internet of Things (IoT) solution – uniquely designed for high-pressure water mist systems. This new technology enables real-time monitoring, smart alerts, and centralized control, setting a new benchmark for safety, operational efficiency, and peace of mind.

Advancing the future of fire safety

As a company that designs complete fire protection systems, Marioff has been advancing the HI-FOG solution for over three decades. The new IoT solution builds on this legacy – seamlessly integrating with existing HI-FOG systems to provide continuous visibility, real-time alerts, and smarter system management.

"We are proud to take on this new frontier in fire protection technology. Having spearheaded the development of high-pressure water mist systems, no one is better positioned than Marioff to lead their evolution into the IoT era. We know the technology; we’ve built it from the ground up – and now we’re bringing it fully online.

“Our IoT solution marks a significant step forward in fire safety,” says Juha Ilvonen, CEO of Marioff. “It helps ensure systems are always monitored and ready – protecting people, property, and business continuity.”

Connected, informed, and always ready

The new system empowers users with remote access and centralized control across multiple sites. “This technology gives customers full visibility of their HI-FOG system – no matter where they are,” says Samuli Bäck, Manager, Connected Services. “It means faster decisions, proactive maintenance, and ultimately, safer environments.”

Key features:

– Real-Time Monitoring – Constant oversight of system status and performance
– Automated Alerts – Immediate notifications about events, issues, or maintenance
– Centralized Management – View and manage multiple systems through one interface
– Data Insights – Performance analytics to support predictive maintenance

Engineering safety forward

With this launch, Marioff sets a new standard for fire protection. As the demand for connected, intelligent safety systems grows, we remain committed to engineering solutions that protect what matters most. The solution will be first made available for selected pilot users before opening the platform to a wider userbase.

Deltamarin wins basic and detail design contract for six pioneering ropax vessels for Grimaldi Lines

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 25 June 2025 25 June 2025

Deltamarin has signed a design and engineering contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) for six new RoPax vessels ordered by the Grimaldi Group.

The agreement includes basic and detail design for the “Next Generation Med” class vessels, which will be deployed across key Mediterranean routes under the Grimaldi Lines and Minoan Lines brands.

Of the six vessels, four will sail under the Italian flag and be operated under the Grimaldi Lines brand, while two will be registered under the Greek flag and operated by Grimaldi’s subsidiary Minoan Lines. All six ships are set to elevate maritime transport in the Mediterranean through a unique combination of high freight and passenger capacity, next-generation environmental performance, and enhanced onboard experience.

Each 229-meter vessel will feature 3,300 lane meters for rolling freight, space for over 300 passenger vehicles, and capacity for up to 2,500 passengers. Accommodation includes more than 300 cabins for over 1,200 guests.

The vessels will be powered by engines capable of running on methanol – making them the first ships in the Mediterranean designed specifically for this alternative fuel. Additional green technologies include e.g. shore power readiness, silicon-based hull coatings, optimized hull and propeller designs, and advanced onboard power management systems. These features will collectively reduce CO₂ emissions per cargo unit by more than 50% compared to current vessels operating on similar routes.

The design work will begin at Deltamarin immediately with vessel deliveries scheduled between 2028 and 2030.