Marine lighting for: The Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) cruise ships "Breakaway" and "Getaway"

Quite varied lighting requirements

Cruise ships make very special demands of the lighting. As the electricity is generated on board, energy efficiency is given top priority, in the face of rising fuel prices and stricter environmental regulations. Apart from power consumption, linking a wide range of lighting applications in very limited space plays an important role. There are also high requirements made of the quality and atmosphere provided by the lighting in the cabins and public areas, in the restaurants, bars, shops as well as in the sports and wellness areas. We should also not forget the very high standards set for the lights' resistance to salt water and meeting fire safety regulations.

Significant energy savings of up to 18%

Using the modern lighting technology from OSRAM and its subsidiary, Traxon Technologies, the two cruise ships are saving energy costs of up to 18% without taking the main drive into account. "Working with OSRAM, we are developing energy-efficient and cost-saving illumination," explains Stephan Schmees, project manager at the Meyer shipyard for NCL. Schmees is focusing on three factors where light is concerned: "Energy efficiency, costs and the effect to be created. Working with OSRAM, we've made lots of progress over the past few years in the LED sector, and have continued to develop the product portfolio."

Swift Amortization

This is a key parameter: As customers, shipping companies require that their investment be amortized within a few years. A short time in which the difference in price between LEDs and halogen lights, which are comparatively cheaper to buy, is made up by the lower power consumption. This is understandable if you consider that, of all the energy a ship needs (apart from its main drive) depending on the type of ship, between 25 % and 40 % is used for lighting.

LEDs in ship's lighting: Can only be optimally implemented with technical know-how

Taking the cabin as an example, it is clear that optimal LED lighting on board can only be successful with a lot of specialist knowledge. The LED technology is installed behind mirrors, in wet cells, behind curtains and in the lighting coves among other places. "In these small areas, we have to think about where we accommodate the control gear, how much heat is dissipated and how the lights reflect from the ceiling material," explains shipyard project manager Schmees. In addition to this, the LED technology also involves the special requirements associated with innovative materials, as it has only been in use for a few years now. "Particularly when we were starting out, we had to think about the special types of mounting and also directly consider the need for replacements at the maintenance intervals," said OSRAM engineer Martin Jost.

For the project manager Schmees though, the benefits of LED technology are obvious. "It's more energy efficient because it consumes less electricity and at the same time generates less heat. This is why we don't have to cool as much. Also, the LEDs are very tough and last longer with a lifespan of around 50,000 operating hours. With each new generation of ships we are using an ever increasing number of LEDs," says Schmees.

A whole new world of lighting technology

Around 17.5 km of flexible LED modules and other lights have been installed on the cruise ships. A total of around 30,000 meters of cable have been installed for the lighting system. The Meyer shipyard installs between 60,000 and 80,000 lighting points in every ship - from simple spots through chandeliers to disco lighting. This includes halogen and energy-saving lamps as well as LED light sources. A variety of lighting solutions now light up the ships: Lamps with control gears, flexible LED systems and luminaires through to dynamic lighting and control solutions from Traxon Technologies.