The new venture aims to revolutionise the way ships are designed and built, applying the expertise of two industry leaders. Sustainable design and cost-efficiency efforts will be the driving forces in the creative process. The partners’ first joint project started in June.

COLUMBIA blue – The Leisure Group, one of the world leading maritime leisure management companies, and Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS), an industry leader with 50+ years’ experience in design and interior architecture for cruise ships and yachts, have agreed to work together on conceptualising and building vessels from scratch.

“The design skills of TDoS and the operational proficiency of COLUMBIA blue form a unique set of expertise, offering a seamless and complete project lifecycle of a vessel design – from the first lines on the sketch board, to the actual operations of the yacht or cruise vessel,” said Julia Siebert, COLUMBIA blue’s Vice President of Business Development.

The partnership will make the creative process more efficient and cost-effective for clients, by merging the initial design and operational verification phases of the ship development cycle.

In the planning stage, TDoS will “design efficient ships and yachts with the smoothest and smartest flows to offer an extraordinary guest experience and best work environment for all crew”, Madelene Hall, CEO of TDoS, explained.

Meanwhile, COLUMBIA blue’s role is to minimise the ongoing operational costs of the propulsion, hull design and power supply, while making them sustainable, and to optimise the ship’s technical and hotel service back-of-house areas.

The companies have already worked on an initial vessel design project, which saw TDoS’s expertise in design and materials complement the operational know-how of COLUMBIA blue.

This partnership goes beyond state-of-the-art designs and functionality, with both companies committed to developing a revolutionary design for crew spaces. “We will conduct in-depth research among the COLUMBIA onboard employees to identify necessities, priorities, wishes and trends for crew accommodation and leisure spaces on new buildings. Paired with our design expertise, we will be able to offer our clientele unique solutions in the future,” TDoS’ Hall said.

COLUMBIA blue’s Siebert added: “The key to successful onboard operations is a satisfied crew, today and in future. With our collaboration, we want to be one of the driving forces in the market to increase the onboard experience of our employees.”