How Wasaline’s new ferry’s interior design both reflects the area it sails in and the green theme of its operations
Wasaline’s new ferry Aurora Botnia is claimed to be the most environmentally friendly passenger vessel operating on earth – and these green values are reflected in the interior.
The unique ferry, which embarked on its maiden voyage on 28 August 2021 and operates a daily service on the route between Vaasa, Finland and Umeå, Sweden, runs on a mix of LNG, batteries and liquefied biogas. The ship is a modern ferry with two cargo decks with a total capacity of 1,500 lane metres with a drive-through arrangement, and a capacity of 800 passengers.
Explaining how the interiors reflect the environmentally friendly theme of the ferry, Wasaline project manager, interior, Markus Backlund tells Passenger Ship Interior & Refurbishment Review, “Green values were highly considered when selecting the materials for the finishes. For example, the passenger cabin carpets are made from 100% recycled yarn where waste fishnets have been used to reduce marine litter. Also, most of the furniture countertops on board are made from sustainable material which contains recycled industrial plastic and is 100% recyclable.”
Kudos was chosen to design the ferry’s interiors. The interior design studio is based in Turku, Finland and has long experience of working within the international cruise ship industry. It has completed several marine interior projects for Crystal Cruises and has several ongoing marine interior projects with Crystal Cruises and Dream Cruises.
An ‘honest’ design direction
Explaining why Kudos scooped the contract, Mr Backlund says, “Kudos was known to us as some in the team had worked with them on another project. They are professional and in addition to being great designers, they understand the complexity and challenges of working with a design to be implemented into a ship, with all the challenges that infers.”
Kudos senior interior designer and project manager Anu Shaw says, “Part of our project team has roots in the Botnia which makes this project very special and personal to us… We were inspired by the windswept islands of Botnia archipelago, open wide fields, majestic landscape of Västerbotten, without forgetting the traditional craftmanship skills and today’s greenhouse farming.”
Mr Backlund also highlights the importance of scenery and geography when it came to the design of the interiors. “From the very beginning it was obvious the design direction should be honest and simplified just like the Botnia region is known as at its best.”
Therefore, using natural colours, the interiors reflect the Botnian archipelago, the open fields of Ostrobothnia and the landscape of Västerbotten. “We wanted to keep the interiors modern and fresh using mainly natural colour palettes, giving space for the scenic Botnia archipelago,” adds Mr Backlund.
Flexibility of space and options
He highlights the importance of passenger comfort, “Passenger comfort plays a big role in the interiors and the plans are made against a long-term perspective and not just on the basis of following the latest interior design trends.”
Merima was appointed to build the public areas and cabins on the new ferry, as well as large parts of the technical areas. Mr Backlund comments that Merima “are known for their state-of-the-art interior solutions for cruise and passenger ships, so we can be sure the quality of the interior will be good.”
Merima deputy chief executive Mikko Mäkiranta said at the time of the announcement that the company would be providing the turnkey solutions, “We are happy that we have been chosen to build the public areas of this new ferry. This is a very exciting project for us as the first in which we are working together with Rauma Marine Constructions in the new partnership model. Wasaline have achieved impressive success over their relatively short existence so far, and we are very glad we can help to shape the next chapter in their story.”
When it comes to amenities, Mr Backlund underlines that the ferry operator wanted to offer flexibility of choices and a similar experience to a cruise ship.
He expands, “Having the same experiences that you would get on a cruise ship is also possible on the ferry; different choices between restaurants, onboard shopping, dance bar and pub, upgraded travel comfort in the business lounge or for the quieter journey the comfort lounge serves well. There is also a conference centre with several meeting rooms which can be opened up for a bigger event space.
He adds, “Flexibility of spaces on board has been an important element in the design. Different areas can be divided into smaller spaces without any compromises to ensure that the passengers can enjoy all the comforts on board even in lower seasons.”
Moving away from the topic of the public areas to the cabins, Mr Backlund says, “The passenger cabins follow the same interior scheme as the public areas – simplified yet functional design details with the natural colour palette.”
Summing up what Wasaline wanted to achieve in terms of the interiors, Mr Backlund says, “To provide a relaxing atmosphere allowing for our guests not only to please their palette, also to allow for rest as preparation for their continued travel.”
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