Kicking Off New Consortium Projects: FORECO, CruiseFlex and Meri-NEWS

Article 17.4.2026

Meyer Turku is taking part in two new co-innovation projects, FORECO and Cruiseflex, and one new co-research project, Meri-NEWS. They are the final projects started within the NEcOLEAP program, and thus all of them are co-funded by Business Finland.

FORECO

FORECO (Foresight in Ecosystems) is a multidisciplinary co-innovation project focusing on strategic foresight practices in ecosystems and the AI-assisted tools that support them. The project investigates how strategic foresight, carried out jointly by various actors in an ecosystem, should be practiced to create real value for both the entire ecosystem and its individual companies.

FORECO is based on three fundamental observations:
1. Companies increasingly utilise strategic foresight in their innovation and business operations.
2. Business is often conducted within ecosystems involving several companies within the same supply chain.
3. Despite this, joint foresight is rarely practiced among these companies.

FORECO aims to drive a significant national change regarding this final observation, strengthening the ability of ecosystems to both meet and create future demand in international markets.

  • Industry Partners: Meyer Turku, ABB, Kempower, Tamlink, Fibres, HeadAI
  • Research Organisations: VTT, LUT University, and the University of Turku, with VTT acting as the project coordinator.
  • Project time: 1/2026 – 6/2028

CruiseFlex

The CruiseFlex – Design for a Sustainable Lifecycle project has been launched. The project is an RDI initiative aimed at transforming how cruise ship public spaces are designed, managed, and renewed across their lifecycle.

CruiseFlex addresses key long‑term challenges facing the cruise industry, including increasing sustainability requirements, evolving passenger expectations, and the need for more efficient lifecycle management. The project focuses on developing new public space scenarios and concepts, digital design methods, and business models that support modularity, retrofit readiness, reuse, and long‑term value creation.

The project builds on extensive maritime research expertise across the consortium and collaboration within Finland’s maritime innovation ecosystem, aiming to develop more adaptable, sustainable, and future‑proof solutions for the cruise sector.

“New long-term value in cruise shipbuilding is created through focusing on flexibility, sustainability, and smart design. CruiseFlex helps us develop future ready ship concepts where public spaces can evolve efficiently over time, supporting both environmental targets and customer needs,” says Meyer Turku project lead Janne Andersson.

  • Industry Partners: Meyer Turku, SeaKing, NIT, and Kudos Dsign
  • Research Organisations: Åbo Akademi University, University of Turku, Aalto University, LUT University, LAB University of Applied Sciences. The project is coordinated by PBI Research Institute.
  • Project time: 1/2026 – 12/2027

Meri-NEWS

In the Meri-NEWS project, a multidisciplinary research effort aims for a significant breakthrough in improving the sustainability of maritime transport and agriculture, as well as fertilizer self‑sufficiency. The goal is to utilize ship emissions and waste streams in the production of fertilizers, fuels and graphite. This enables the recycling of valuable raw materials and improves resource efficiency, self‑sufficiency and security of supply both in Finland and globally. The project also assesses opportunities to reduce agricultural climate emissions.

Ship emissions and waste streams are currently not used as raw materials, even though they contain valuable components. Through new business models and processes, these streams can be converted into useful products.

“Meyer Turku Oy has long recognized the potential in utilising waste generated in cruise ship operations. The company is participating in the Meri-NEWS project and believes it will provide an important step forward in this highly interesting but challenging field. The other circular economy and sustainability focused research topics explored in the project also respond to industry needs,” says Jussi Blomberg, Development Manager at Meyer Turku.

  • Industry Partners: Meyer Turku, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Valio, HVK, ROTOBOOST, Green North Energy, Langh Tech, FC Fertilizing Oy.
  • Research Organisations: VTT, LUT University, and the University of Turku, with VTT acting as the project coordinator
  • Project time: 1/2026 – 6/2028
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