Flooring becomes more high-tech


Decking has become more technology-led, which has had a knock-on impact on passenger comfort and energy efficiency. Bergo supplies two sports floors for passenger ships – a multi-support for ball games and one for tennis – that both allow the air to flow through the tiles through tiny holes cut into the polypropylene material. “This makes it more heat repellent in hot weather, making it more comfortable to walk on. In the cold, it allows moistness and rain to drain through and so stops puddles forming and ensures the surface stays dry,” the company’s key account manager Emil Lindén said. Meanwhile Bolidt is looking at adding additives to


all its flooring and decking to reduce heat transfer by approximately eight degrees. The concept has not been launched yet as it is currently undergoing laboratory tests. Bolidt Cruise Control’s general manager Antoine Dons said: “It is important for the feel of the deck itself, but also more insulation means that there won’t be such a transfer of heat to the interior areas below


ships lighter. Also, using lightweight decking is better in terms of maintaining ship stability – it is not a good weight distribution to have heavy materials at the top of the boat.” He said that Bergo’s flooring range, including Pure, weighs about 4kg per square metre which he said was “very little” for a ship’s deck. Deck and flooring specialist Bolidt has also seen a growing move towards both environmentally friendly and lighter floor materials. The company produces Future Teak, a polyurethane- based product that emulates wood and is half the weight of wood, Bolidt’s director of shipbuilding Jacco van Overbeek said. US Bolidt branch Cruise Control’s general manager Antoine


Dons noted a growing trend within cruise operators to replace teak with products that emulate it, such as Future Teak. “It is environmentally friendly as you are not cutting down any trees and creating any waste, and it is sustainable,” he noted. Another big draw is that Future Teak is thinner and lighter than wood and so saves energy and leads to fuel savings.


Bolidt scooped the contract to supply flooring to the newly


delivered Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway and to its sister vessel Norwegian Getaway, which is currently being constructed and is due for delivery in January 2014. It has supplied 16,500m2 of surfacing for each ship, including Bolideck Future Teak and deck covering system Bolideck525. They have been used in many of the public areas on Norwegian Breakaway, such as around the aft pool and the Waterfront, an ocean front boulevard lined with shops, restaurants and bars. It was also used in the interior, including in the Bliss nightclub. Bolidt’s flooring and decking is being used in the same areas on the sister vessel currently under construction. The use of Boldit’s products in the two cruise ships highlights an evolving theme, whereby flooring is being used to create ambience and highlight certain functions. Project manager and senior designer Liam Kirk of SMC Design – which managed the ships’ interior design – commented on the use of the flooring in Bliss nightclub: “Bolidt was able to create our desired effect by developing a black and silver glittered floor to enhance the ambience in the area. The glitter starts off low density at the outer edges and increases density as it reaches the bar area, helping control the flow of the public to the bar.” While senior architect in design Anders Lund Rasmussen


of Tillberg Design – which has also been project managing the interior design of the ships – said that Future Teak was a “key


www.passengership.info


Bergo’s sports flooring allows the air to floor through the tiles to keep it dry in wet weather and cool in hot weather


the deck, which could mean that less energy is needed for air conditioning.” He added that there was a growing demand for


prefabrication. He explained: “Drydockings have got shorter, more needs to be done in this time and decks need to be refurbished. Therefore we provide modular, prefabricated solutions where crew can refurbish [the decks] themselves” while the ship is in service. He said this consisted of a “smart balcony” planking


system that allowed crew to lay out a complete balcony deck while the ship was in service. “This is a quick process,” he commented.


attribute” for the Waterfront “with the black stripes evoking boardwalk planking. It is also subtle enough not to overpower walkway furnishing.” The more design-led trend can also be seen on the carpets


used on cruise ships and ferries. Denmark-headquartered Dansk Wilton’s newest product offering is a hand-carved Axminster carpet referred to as ‘3D’ due to the creation of a three dimensional effect in the carpet. It will be installed in selected public spaces on Fjord Line’s new Stavangerfjord and Bergensfjord cruiseferries (see pages 18-23). It is the first time this carpet type has been installed onboard a luxury passenger vessel. “These new 3D carpets can be used to create a truly unique ambience in areas where passengers are likely to spend more money such as in exclusive restaurants or luxurious suites,” noted Dansk Wilton managing director Søren Sonne. He said that all designs were developed together with interior designers and architects. “We are seeing a clear trend for bringing very high end flooring solutions to today’s cruise ships.” 3D carpets also tap into the environmental trend as they are


made from 80 per cent wool. “The trend in carpets is to move away from oil-based or synthetic materials in favour of natural materials such as wool,” Mr Sonne said.


He also pointed out how carpets have a very positive effect


of reducing noise onboard, which he said was a “very important factor” for high-end cruise ships. PST


Dansk Wilton’s 3D carpets are hand-carved and have a three dimensional effect


Passenger Ship Technology I 2nd Quarter 2013 I 47


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