Revolutionising maritime accommodation
Metalika Ship & Yacht Interiors and SMC Design have collaborated to deliver a new sleeping solution for passengers onboard DFDS ferries
Metalika has a 90-year history of blending tradition with innovation, including more than 20 years of experience of furnishing maritime interiors. So we relished the opportunity to work with leading maritime design studio SMC Design to solve an accommodation challenge for DFDS.
The demand for the ferry line’s cabins outstripped the number available, so our aim was to find a solution that would use the existing space but increase sleeping capacity, all while ensuring they remained easy to clean and maintain. Space is at a premium on ships and savings are often hard to achieve without compromising the passenger experience.
The Nautilus Pod represents a significant advancement in compact sleeping quarters for marine applications. It was conceived though utilising the full extent of our structural design and manufacturing expertise alongside SMC Design’s interior design and integration skillset. The insights provided by DFDS and the requirements it set for passenger comfort and safety were a fundamental part of the development process, ensuring that we stayed true to its brand identity while meeting operational criteria.
The outcome is a design scheme that optimises the space while also providing the comfort, aesthetic and privacy features that are crucial for passenger satisfaction on cruise ships and ferries. The Nautilus Pod exceeds the safety and durability goals we set at the outset of the project and has a low total cost of ownership. It has been designed to be easily cleaned and maintained at minimal cost to support a high and long-term use frequency. The pod has been specifically created for the marine industry, with a valid certificate for its compliance with International Maritime Organisation standards issued by Bureau Veritas.
The Nautilus Pods also have the advantage of flexibility. The module can be customised for each individual customer, depending on their desired features, brand identity, or logistical needs. This could allow us to explore other possible implementations in the future, and we are already testing the use of the pods for crew areas with several shipowners.
All of the pods built for DFDS were preassembled in our factory to enable fast installation with minimum work required onboard. We are thrilled to report that over 100 units have already been successfully installed across three DFDS vessels, enhancing the onboard experience for passengers.
The feedback from DFDS and its passengers has been overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the potential benefits these pods could bring to other operators in the marine industry. In the future, similar projects can further explore the possibilities of flexible and multifunctional spaces, incorporating sustainable materials and minimalist design principles to meet the needs of passengers, crew and operators.
