Over the decades, Deltamarin has evolved from a local consultancy company into a global leader, known for its innovative approach and comprehensive solutions across various maritime sectors.
Our Story
Building reputation and credibility
Establishment of the company in 1990
In the late 1970s and 80s, as European shipyards faced declining demand and rising competition from Japan and South Korea, independent ship design companies started to emerge to alleviate design capacity bottlenecks at shipyards. Founded in 1990, Deltamarin aimed to offer comprehensive design services, from concept development to delivery and lifecycle management of vessels. This holistic approach set Deltamarin apart in an industry where most design offices were focusing on detailed design and workshop documentation.
The company quickly distinguished itself by securing a crucial contract with the Belgian shipyard Boelwerf for the ‘Prins Filip‘ ferry, which included concept evaluation followed by the full design package. This project showcased Deltamarin’s ability to manage complex, high-stakes projects. This early success established the company’s reputation for quality and innovation, paving the way for its international growth and recognition in the shipbuilding industry.
Picture 1: Deltamarin Board: First row from left Mikko Rönnholm, Alf Björkman, Sten Segerqvist, Kalevi Pyykkö and second row from left Jukka Laiterä, Kyösti Herrala, Jaakko Järvinen, Markku Kanerva.
Picture 2: ‘MS Prins Filip‘ ferry built for the Belgian operator Regie voor Maritiem Transport (RMT) at the Boelwerf shipyard in Temse, Belgium in 1991. (Photo: RMT)
“The idea was that we steered clear of simple, straightforward work, and instead took on projects that would help us develop further.”
“We wanted to be innovative.” This decision was quintessential in Deltamarin’s success, as it motivated the company to seek work abroad.
— Alf Björkman, one of the founding members and the first Managing Director of Deltamarin
Overcoming the recession of the 90s
From the early 1990s to 1995
In the early 1990s, Finland faced a recession that posed significant challenges for the newly established Deltamarin. Despite initial struggles and layoffs, the company secured important contracts, including the conversion of the ferries Athena and Kalypso for the Chinese Genting Group and a major design contract for a helicopter carrier for the Thai Navy.
By decentralizing sales and focusing on R&D, Deltamarin navigated through the recession and expanded its market reach. The company’s emphasis on 3D design, efficiency, and international collaborations, including notable projects with TT-Line and Strintzis Line, solidified its reputation. By 1995, Deltamarin had evolved from a subcontracting design into an internationally significant ship design consultancy and engineering office, recognized for its innovative concepts and global influence in the maritime industry.
Picture 1: TT-Line’s ferries ‘Robin Hood‘ and ‘Nils Dacke‘ built at Finnyards in Rauma, Finland. (Photo: TT-Line)
Picture 2: ‘MS Superfast XI‘, one of the fast ro-pax ferries built for Superfast Ferries at Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Kiel, Germany. Deltamarin was involved in the design and engineering of Superfast I to Superfast XII. (Photo: Superfast Ferries)
By 1995, Deltamarin was involved in all passenger car ferries built in Europe in the size class over 120m.
“That was impressive. The ferries were built in France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany and Finland. At that time, we also started our long-standing relationship with Stena in Sweden including several ro-pax ferries and ro-ro’s built in Spain, Italy, South Korea and most recently in China, but also including several conversions before the newbuildings. That helped us forward, and our designs gained worldwide recognition.”
— Markku Kanerva, former Development and Marketing Director and board member
Comprehensive solutions
From the mid-1990s to the end of 1990s
In the mid-1990s, shipyards began evolving into assembly plants and owners required designers to oversee construction. Deltamarin adapted to this shift by offering consultancy services and supporting European shipyards with conversion projects and material management. The company was deeply involved in R&D, collaborating with EU-funded projects and academic institutions, and leveraged early adoption of 3D modeling in ship design, which enhanced its expertise and kept it at the forefront of industry developments.
This innovation and strategic focus led to a record number of orders in 1996 and a surge in profitability by the late 1990s. The company also formed a strategic partnership with the Croatian design office Brodoplan. Deltamarin’s international success was highlighted by its involvement in high-profile projects and partnerships, including Disney’s entry into the cruise industry, multiple projects for Royal Caribbean, and collaborations with various other cruise lines. By the end of the decade, this positioned Deltamarin as Europe’s largest ship design company.
Picture 1: Cruise ships ‘Disney Magic‘ and ‘Disney Wonder‘ were built at Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Italy for the newly established Disney Cruise Line. (Photo: Shippax)
Picture 2: ‘The World‘ is the largest private residential ship in the world. Deltamarin has provided design and engineering services for the full life cycle of the ship starting from project development to ship operation. (Photo: © frode adolfsen, ShipSpotting.com)
“We understood pretty early that we had to offer services for the entire chain of development.”
“ – from the very first idea that a shipowner has to the construction process and launch. Other design companies didn’t have the time or understanding to offer a service like this. We were the first ones in the world to do it.”
— Markku Kanerva, former Development and Marketing Director and board member
Extra volume from China
From the early 2000s to the mid-2000s
Entering the new millennium, Deltamarin had evolved from a Finnish consultancy to Europe’s largest ship design company. By 2000, the company was recognized with Finland’s Internationalisation Award for its global success, driven by projects such as the ‘Ville de Bordeaux‘ and the Litton Ingalls passenger cruise ships. However, the post-9/11 collapse of the cruise market prompted a shift towards offshore projects and vessel conversions. The opening of a U.S. office in Fort Lauderdale further strengthened Deltamarin’s position in the growing conversion market.
By the early 2000s, Asian shipyards emerged as strong competitors to European shipbuilding, leading to a significant shift in the industry. Despite initial skepticism and challenges, Deltamarin adapted by focusing on designing ro-ro vessels and product tankers for the Chinese market, achieving a dominant 70% market share in European-designed ro-ro vessels built in Chinese Shipyards. These included projects like the ‘Finnmaster‘ class for Finnlines, as well as the design of special ro-ro carriers like the ‘Ville de Bordeaux‘ at Jinling shipyard and ‘City of Hamburg‘ and ‘Ciudad de Cadiz‘ in Singapore, which are used for transporting Airbus parts between Europe and the USA.
Picture 1: ‘Ville de Bordeaux’ was first of the ro-ro ships designed to carry Airbus sections. (Photo: Höegh Autoliners)
Picture 2: ‘Finnmaster‘, 8,000 DWT ro-ro paper/trailer carrier was built at Jinling Shipyard in China. (Photo: Shippax)
“The companies honoured are more than companies that deal in exports – their method of operating is international.”
said President Martti Ahtisaari while presenting the award, emphasising a holistic approach to dealing internationally. “Yet despite their international approach, these companies have their roots deep in Finnish expertise and society.”
— President Martti Ahtisaari in his address speech for Finland’s Internationalisation Award in 2000
Steps into the offshore business
From the mid-2000s to the early 2010s
Around the mid-2000s, Deltamarin strategically expanded beyond its core cruise liner design business to embrace offshore projects, including oil drilling platforms, pipelay vessels and FPSOs. The company ventured into the Chinese market by forming a joint venture with Shandong New Shipbuilding Industries, marking its first major partnership in China and establishing a local presence in Weihai. By the end of the decade, Deltamarin, in partnership with Barry Rogliano Salles, began developing the B.Delta bulker, which significantly enhanced fuel efficiency and cargo capacity. Despite early skepticism, this venture ultimately achieved significant success.
Simultaneously, Deltamarin broadened its capabilities by opening a new office in Gdansk, Poland, to enhance its design resources. Despite facing setbacks due to the global economic downturn, including a talent drain and the closure of its Miami office, Deltamarin successfully secured major offshore contracts, such as the ‘Pioneering Spirit‘ project. These efforts not only helped stabilize the company but also positioned it for continued growth and diversification.
Picture 1: Decommissioning, installation and pipelaying vessel ‘Pioneering Spirit‘ (originally named ‘Pieter Schelte’) is the largest construction vessel ever built and designed. Here the Johan Sverdrup processing platform is lifted on top of the jacket in a single-lift operation by Pioneering Spirit. (Photo: Equinor)
Picture 2: Deltamarin provided design services for GVA Consultants (GVAC) for the ‘Atlantis’ oil and gas production platform located in deep water in the Gulf of Mexico. Atlantis was the deepest moored semi-submersible platform in the world when it was installed. (Photo: GVAC)
“It’s smart that we stand on three feet: passenger ships, offshore vessels and cargo ships.”
“That’s one of our leading ideas: we have the ability to offer different types of projects. We might do offshore for a couple of years, then ro-pax and then cargo ships. This is an excellent thing for our personnel and our company.”
— Janne Uotila, the current Managing Director of Deltamarin
B.Delta breakthrough
From the early to mid-2010s
Moving into the 2010s, Deltamarin had emerged as a leading naval architectural and marine engineering consultancy with offices in six countries and 400 employees, including 250 in Finland. Establishing Deltamarin (China) Co., Ltd. in Shanghai, the company grew its small representative office into a significant design firm.
A key success during this period was the B.Delta bulk carrier series that Deltamarin had been developing for several years. The first shipbuilding contract for B.Delta37 was secured with the French shipowner Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA), followed by several other owners. The vessel’s impressive fuel efficiency and performance not only garnered attention and validation but also marked a major milestone for Deltamarin, leading to over 120 vessels being built based on the B.Delta design. This success enhanced Deltamarin’s reputation and influence in the competitive Chinese market, creating more business opportunities and strengthening its presence.
Deltamarin began planning for a new generation of ownership and in 2013 partnered with AVIC to maintain its independence and facilitate growth. This collaboration enabled Deltamarin to expand its operations while preserving jobs in Finland. A restructuring in 2016 shifted 20% of Deltamarin’s ownership back to Finland.
Picture 1: ‘La Briantais‘, the first in the series of eight bulk carriers based on Deltamarin’s B.Delta37 design delivered to French shipowner Louis Dreyfus Armateurs. The ships were built at Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. in China. (Photo: © John Wilson, ShipSpotting.com)
Picture 2: Deltamarin provided comprehensive design and engineering services for the FPSO ‘Dynamic Producer‘ conversion for Brazilian Petroserv. (Photo: Petroserv)
“One day we just realised — Now we’re onto something new! This is huge!”
“Our team developed a hull form with major difference in how the fore body and aft body were shaped — Once we were finished with the model testing and got the foundation of the ship done, we were 25% better in fuel efficiency than the best Japanese shipyard at the time in that type and size.”
— Markku Kanerva, former Development and Marketing Director and board member, on the development of the B.Delta37 bulker design
Back to cruise ships and ro-pax vessels
From the mid-2010s to the early 2020s
In the early 2020s, Deltamarin shifted its focus back to the cruise ship and ro-pax vessel, securing major contracts such as the cruise vessel ‘Global Dream’, the largest engineering project in the company’s history so far.
During this period, Deltamarin also achieved significant success with RoPax vessels built for Western owners in China, including the Stena E-Flexer class for the Swedish owner Stena Line. The initial design contract in 2016 included a comprehensive engineering, procurement, construction, and management (EPCM) package to support the AVIC Weihai shipyard in building their first RoPax ferries for a Western owner. The E-Flexer class has achieved significant success over the years for its innovative design, operational efficiency, sustainability, and versatility, leading to a total of fifteen E-Flexers ordered by Stena RoRo by 2024.
In 2021, Deltamarin celebrated its 30th anniversary as a pioneering ship design and engineering company, marking three decades of industry advancements. Earlier that year, AVIC’s maritime branch, including Deltamarin, was acquired by China Merchants Group (CMG). With the support of CMG, Deltamarin continues to operate independently, focusing on promoting sustainable growth and innovation.
Picture 1: ‘Global Dream’ is the largest engineering contract in Deltamarin’s history so far, with a total duration of around 4 years. (Photo: MV Werften)
Picture 2: ‘Stena Estrid’ is Deltamarin’s first project involving a comprehensive engineering, procurement, construction and management (EPCM) package for ro-pax ferry newbuilds. (Picture: Stena Line)
