Helsinki Shipyard

Exceptional Challenges and Meticulous Planning

The immense hall height, maritime climate, and ongoing production made the project exceptionally challenging right from the outset. The distance from the bottom of the empty dock to the ceiling measures a staggering 55 metres, meaning many of the fixtures were beyond the reach of standard aerial lifts.

“We wanted to account for every detail. We spent practically an entire year designing and drafting the lighting renewal plan,” says Jarmo Saramies, Head of Electrical Outfitting and Maintenance Investments at the shipyard.

Expertise and Domestic Manufacturing Made the Difference

The lighting procurement process was meticulously prepared, with several supplier options involved in a rigorous competitive bidding process until the very end. The chosen solution featured Greenled’s Finnish-made luminaires paired with the Legrand Wattstopper—the most advanced lighting control system on the market. Greenled managed the entire turnkey delivery, including design, installation, and programming.

According to Saramies, it was Greenled’s expertise and proven track record that sealed the deal:

“We had three other companies in the final running through the entire bidding process, but Greenled was unquestionably the best from a technical standpoint. Everyone, including the CEO, radiated expertise, and they had the strongest track record in delivering large-scale industrial and logistics projects. Seeing the luminaires being handcrafted in Finland during our factory visit was also highly impressive. It really won us over.”

Precise Planning for a Demanding Installation 

The shipyard’s seaside location places unique demands on the equipment. The combination of high humidity and salty sea air is a ruthless environment that quickly corrodes standard metals.

“We are right next to the saltwater, and here, everything rusts if it’s just standard iron. This was taken into account in the choice of luminaires and even in the fixings and screws. In addition to the IP rating, the risk of corrosion had to be tackled with acid-proof materials,” lists Jarmo Saramies.

Greenled’s Project Manager Max Lindeblad confirms this: “Every luminaire, all installation accessories, and control components—everything had to be precisely vetted for suitability in this environment. We chose the Sigma Gen 3 Pro as the primary luminaire for this site. Every screw, metal strip, and bracket was carefully scrutinized to ensure they were made of the right materials to withstand these conditions. With luminaires manufactured at our factory in Oulu, we were able to provide a long-lasting, high-quality lighting solution.”

The installation project itself was challenging due to the extreme heights, but it stayed on schedule thanks to meticulous preparation. Before the start, all lighting solutions, placements, and cabling principles were reviewed in detail.

“It all started with us carrying out mock-up installations inside the hall. Once the client inspected and approved them, we were able to pace the rest of the project to ensure production remained undisturbed. It was especially critical that no areas went dark during installation, as that could have compromised safety or ongoing production,” Lindeblad explains.

The successful lighting renewal at Helsinki Shipyard was the result of outstanding collaboration. Pictured (from left): Max Lindeblad, Jarmo Saramies, and Leevi Martikainen.

A Massive Leap in Energy Efficiency and Daily Operations

The investment has yielded immediate results. Calculated electricity consumption has decreased by 74%, which translates to a reduction of approximately 160 tonnes in annual CO2 emissions. This strongly supports the shipyard’s environmental and sustainability goals.

However, the most important metric at the Shipyard is the flow of daily work. Over 1,500 Finnish-made luminaires now provide a uniform, glare-free light level of over 500 lux across the massive property, meeting even the most demanding standards.

“Working conditions improved significantly. It’s much more pleasant for the team to do their jobs. We’ve also been able to largely do away with additional portable spotlights,” says seemingly happy Department Manager Ari Sylve.

Jarmo Saramies shares his colleague’s view: “Even though we expected a lot from the end result, the biggest surprise has ultimately been just how good the lighting is now—and how massive the practical difference is compared to what we had before.”