Following the success of the prototype launchat SMM in 2016, the UK consortium consisting of composite specialist PE Composites Ltd (PEC) and marine interior refurbishment specialist Trimline Ltd has secured further co-funding from the UK’s Innovation Agency, Innovate UK, to productionise and certify its Lightweight Composite Cabin.
The consortium claims that, compared with traditional steel structures, the new lightweight cabin will offer improved vessel efficiency, improved vessel stability, lower emmisions and improved vessel carbon footprint, and numerious finishing options including seamless walls.
The project has already garnered interest from the cruise, river cruise, ferry and defence industries.
During the next phase, PEC and Trimline will focus on reducing the cabin production cost and by the end of 2018 will develop a pilot production plant capable of making several hundred cabins per year.
The project will also design a full production plant to satisfy the predicted increasing demand. Cabins will carry MED and other certification relevant to each application and region.
