The Finnish shipyard Meyer Turku has announced the Completion of the design of a cruise ship at zero emissions that has been developed as part of the Avatar project which aims to reduce by more than 90% the ship's life cycle carbon footprint compared to the reference value defined by the International Maritime Organization. The project was carried out within the framework of NEcOLEAP, the four-year research and development programme of Meyer Turku co-funded by the federal government agency Business Finland.

Meyer Turku highlighted that the concept of the ship incorporates technologies and solutions that are expected to be technologically sustainable and available by 2030 and which the project has more experimental technologies have been deliberately excluded, or in the initial phase. Liina Vahala, Head of Product Development by Meyer Turku, explained that the result of zero emissions net is the result of the sum of different measures "No single solution," he specified, "is sufficient: for example, a simple change of fuel does not will achieve the desired impact."

As for the fuel, the one chosen for the Avatar project is biomethanol, for which an increase in its availability and its environmental performance during the entire life cycle of the ship. The concept of the ship uses Also the wind-assisted propulsion technology and panels solar powers. The design is also characterized by a more slim and lightweight as well as for better efficiency energy efficiency of the spaces on board: for example, More efficient air treatment energy will allow a reduction of about 50% in the energy requirements for heating and cooling on the cabin decks. In addition, sustainable materials and a sustainable use further contribute to reducing the total life cycle emissions of the ship.