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Merima invests in the future of the Finnish maritime industry with a new office and logistics centre in Turku

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 24 April 2026 24 April 2026

Merima Oy is investing in the future and operational efficiency by building a dedicated logistics centre and office at a new maritime industry business park near the Meyer Turku shipyard.

Blue Industry Park is Europe's leading maritime and manufacturing industry cluster, taking shape on the Turku shipyard site. The area brings together pioneers from their respective fields, with access to first-class logistics connections.

"Turku is an important hub for us, from which we serve customers around the world. Our new 4,000-square-metre facilities will improve our efficiency and further strengthen long-term collaboration with local and international operators in the Turku region," says Merima CEO Mikko Mäkiranta.

Logistics and seamless workflows at the heart of the new space

Merima is a family-owned company with nearly 40 years of experience and an internationally recognised expert on demanding full-scope maritime projects. The company delivers high-quality newbuild and refurbishment projects for cruise vessels globally, with a focus on the most demanding and complex assignments. Smooth logistics and efficient working days are essential to how Merima operates.

"This move strengthens our ability to serve our customers at an even higher level and creates the conditions for sustainable growth. Our own ways of working and processes need to be in order because we support our clients across the full project lifecycle, from the earliest sketches right through to the final finishing touches, and we also provide ongoing support. The new facilities are being designed to make it easy for people to connect and work even more efficiently," says Mäkiranta.

Azamara Cruises names MJM Marine as outfitting partner for Azamara Quest refit

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 15 April 2026 15 April 2026

Azamara Cruises, the small-ship cruise line celebrated for late nights, overnights, and Destination Immersion, has announced a new partnership with MJM Marine, the specialist marine interior outfitter selected to execute the brand’s upcoming Azamara Forward enhancements aboard Azamara Quest. The collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship between the two companies, following MJM Marine’s previous work on the refit of Azamara Pursuit. Known for delivering complex marine interior projects for some of the world’s leading cruise lines, MJM Marine will once again partner with Azamara Cruises to bring the next phase of the brand’s fleet evolution to life.

Azamara Forward represents the cruise line’s largest fleetwide renovation to date. Designed to thoughtfully elevate the onboard experience while honoring the hallmarks that have long defined the brand, the initiative includes a range of ship-wide enhancements – from refreshed staterooms and redesigned public spaces to new dining concepts and reimagined social venues. Debuting exclusively aboard Azamara Quest is an entirely new Penthouse Deck featuring 12 new suites, marking a significant expansion for the ship.

“This partnership with MJM Marine reflects our commitment to thoughtfully evolving the Azamara Cruises experience while delivering the highest-quality enhancements for our guests,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises. “Their deep understanding of our brand and our standards made them the natural choice to support the Azamara Forward program. Together, we are excited to bring the next phase of our fleet’s transformation to life, creating new spaces that will deepen connection to both the ship and the destinations our guests explore.”

“We are delighted to continue our relationship with Azamara Cruises on this important project for Azamara Quest,” said Gary Annett, CEO of MJM Marine. “Our previous work together on Azamara Pursuit established a strong foundation upon which to build, and this latest collaboration reflects the trust and confidence between both teams. We look forward to delivering a successful outcome and helping bring Azamara Forward to life.”

Azamara Quest marks the first ship in the fleet to undergo the Azamara Forward enhancements, with Azamara Onward slated to follow in 2027 and updates to Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit to be announced at a later date.

VIKING Helix shapes simpler, easier ship evacuation at speed

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 15 April 2026 15 April 2026

A new generation marine evacuation system (MES) from VIKING Life-Saving Equipment offers a faster exit for passengers, simpler operation for crew and easier service for cruise and ferry owners.

Developed for passenger ships needing high evacuation capacity, the VIKING Helix MES introduces a new helix-type slide that 4-8 people can use at once, and a unique bowsing system that keeps life rafts on-side with minimal crew involvement.

Enabling the controlled ship evacuation of up to 477 persons within 30 minutes into 153-person life rafts alongside, the multiple occupancy slide accommodates adults of all sizes. It also allows adults and children to evacuate together, while even stretchers carrying injured persons can be brought into the continuous flow.

“The Helix solution has been designed for operational speed and simplicity, technical efficiency, while the controlled descent of evacuees means they need less crew assistance transferring from the slide to the life raft,” said Alex Kristensen, VP Cruise & Ferry, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment.

Certified for use by DNV, the VIKING Helix supports a wide range of vessel configurations and is especially suited to larger ferries and small to mid-size cruise ships. Installed at heights ranging between 5 and 23 meters, the system requires no welding on the ship side, making integration straightforward into newbuild and retrofit projects.

For heights of up to 12 meters, the VIKING Helix features a patent-pending bowsing system which automatically activates cylinders after raft ballast water bags are filled to maintain position manual bowsing. Bowsing line tightening is the failing most frequently reported in evacuation training.

“Automated bowsing allows the Helix MES to work with trim and list in a working range of 4-29 meters, so that fast and safe evacuation goes ahead even in challenging conditions,” said Kristensen. “Users also avoid the service time and cost needed to reinstall bowsing systems every three years when systems are deployed – as required by SOLAS.”

Harbor trials at the VIKING Testing Center, Esbjerg focused on materials, structural integrity and system behavior, with volunteers of different ages and physical conditions moving through the slide and boarding life rafts. Subsequent heavy-weather sea trials in the North Sea verified performance in waters where wind, waves and motions tested the slide’s movement with a vessel and control over evacuee descent in changing trim and list conditions.

Minimized operational disruption is also designed in to a system which requires service at an authorized service station once every 30 months. “One Helix slide and a 153-person life raft are housed in an enclosed GRP frame which fits into the standard height between two decks and is removed as one unit,” said Kristensen. “Switch-out is straightforward, even during short port stays.”

Bolidt on deck at scale as new cruise season approaches

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 10 April 2026 10 April 2026

The coming season sees major operators including MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean and AIDA Cruises engaging industry-leading decking company Bolidt for key works across their fleets.

As part of MSC Cruises’ refurbishment programme focus to add exclusive, high-end areas on several existing ships, Bolidt recently completed extensive refit works aboard MSC Magnifica, to be followed by MSC Poesia, both at Palumbo Shipyards in Malta. Upgrades cover the installation of prefabricated elements and the creation of VIP spaces in the new MSC Yacht Club, as well as the replacement of real teak with more hardwearing Bolideck Future Teak in the pool and Jacuzzi areas.

Works on board MSC Magnifica concluded in December 2025, and the ship has since embarked on a world cruise. MSC Poesia is expected to rejoin the MSC Cruises’ fleet in time for its Alaska itinerary in May 2026. Bolidt will undertake similar renovations aboard MSC Musica, with installations scheduled to commence in November 2026.

Underscoring its long-standing partnership with MSC Cruises, the company has also secured contracts for newbuild projects for the line’s World Class ships, including MSC World Asia, ahead of her scheduled delivery in 2026. In addition, Bolidt’s decking innovation has been selected for the cruise line’s luxury Explora Journeys fleet, including the latest vessel Explora III, which is due to enter service this summer.

For AIDA Cruises, Bolidt has worked on three vessels since 2025: AIDAdiva, AIDAluna, and AIDAbella. The projects are part of the ‘AIDA Evolution’ programme – the largest modernisation initiative in the operator’s history. Most recently, Bolidt refitted AIDAbella’s pool deck, integrating prefabricated sun loungers and fitting the games area with a distinctive ‘’Glitter & Glamour floor’’. Bolidt also completed various spaces on board using its innovative Bolideck LED flooring, delivering a striking blend of design originality and immersive guest experience.

With AIDAbella having recently returned to service after a Mediterranean voyage, future opportunities involve supporting the upcoming drydocks across the AIDA Cruises fleet. They include AIDAmar and AIDAblu, whose refurbishment is scheduled later this year, followed by AIDAsol and AIDAstella in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Bolidt was involved in the newbuild phase for all seven AIDA vessels.

Another major project starting this month involves Harmony of the Seas, as part of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplification refit programme. The vessel will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment at Navantia’s Cádiz yard, where Bolidt’s scope includes the renovation of the Boardwalk on Deck 6. Delivered in a close collaboration between the owner and the Bolidt design team, the project creates a striking, pier-inspired aesthetic with alternating light and dark flooring and soft blue tones that evoke the sensation of water, while also enhancing comfort through effective noise-reduction solutions using Bolideck Future Teak and Select Soft/Hard solutions.

“Sustained demand for Bolidt’s refit expertise emphasises our status as the decking supplier of choice for a wide range of cruise operators and ships sailing globally,” said Robert van Aarle, Director, Maritime & Defence. “The interest shown in our new Bolideck LED product also reflects the industry's healthy appetite for innovation. We remain committed to providing next generation solutions that meet evolving guest expectations while complementing design excellence.”