Hella Marine

Hella marine, a brand of the international automotive supplier FORVIA HELLA, will present its latest innovations in the field of marine lighting at the world's most important boat and water sports trade fair, Boot 2025 in Düsseldorf.

The keypoints in short​

• The new Apelo Light Controller with Bluetooth Mesh Technology and an intuitive app provides boat owners with a unique, fully customizable lighting experience
• Two more product premieres: The innovative RGB Step Lamp and the RGB/W Indoor Light EuroLED 75 (Donwlight) expand the Apelo product line

From January 18 to 26, 2025, visitors to Hall 10, Booth A40 will have the opportunity to experience the new Apelo Light Controller. This state-of-the-art system, paired with its intuitive app, enables seamless control of the Apelo Underwater Lights and more. In addition, Hella marine will be presenting two innovative RGB/W lighting solutions for the first time at boot 2025, expanding the established Apelo product line: The new Step Lamp and the Indoor Light EuroLED 75 (Downlight). "With our new products, we are setting new standards for functionality and design in maritime environments that meet the requirements of recreational boating," explains Ansgar Hinrichs, Global Sales Manager of Hella marine. The Apelo Light Controller, the app and the new lamps are expected to be available globally from the second quarter of 2025.

The Apelo Light Controller with Bluetooth Mesh Technology enables a fully customizable lighting experience​

The new Apelo Light Controller uses Bluetooth Mesh technology for seamless wireless communication, which greatly simplifies integration into the boat's infrastructure. Thanks to a simple two-wire connection, it can be easily integrated into existing wiring harnesses. This makes the controller ideal for retrofitting older vessels or installing in new ships.

The controller can be used to control various Hella marine products, including underwater, indoor, flood, and RGB lamps like rope lights. The lighting in different areas of the boat can be easily controlled via switches. These offer a convenient way to synchronize the lights, for example from a central location (one-way switch) or from two different locations (two-way switch). A dedicated app for iOS and Android enhances convenience, allowing for synchronized lighting displays and easy switching to custom programmed modes, with each controller storing its position and tasks. Users can create custom lighting scenarios, set flashing patterns, select colors, program color changes, adjust brightness, and easily switch between custom and pre-programmed modes. Hinrichs states, “We're leveraging this technology to offer a unique, fully customizable lighting experience for boat owners, marking a first in the marine industry.”

Hella Marine Unveils Innovative RGB/W Lighting Solutions at boot Fair​

Hella marine will debut the RGB Step Lamp and the RGB/W EuroLED 75 interior light (Downlight) at the boot fair. The RGB Step Lamp offers energy-efficient lighting, perfect for illuminating steps and walkways, and is available with chrome, white, or stainless steel finishes. The RGB/W EuroLED 75 combines white LEDs with a high color rendering index (CRI) for multi-colored lighting effects in cabins, available in stainless steel or with a white cover. "Our products are designed to improve safety and the experience on the water. We are proud to help shape the future of marine lighting," says Hinrichs. Visitors to Hella marine's booth will have the opportunity to experience the new products during live demonstrations.

Experience the future of marine lighting and visit Hella marine from 18 to 26 January 2025 at boot 2025 in Düsseldorf in Hall 10, Stand A40.

Nowhere in the world is the density of islands higher than in the Finnish Åland archipelago. According to the University of Turku, 44,225 islands of different sizes are scattered across the picturesque archipelago. If you want to visit the islands, you can do so by ferry. For example, with the Viking Grace, a ferry operated by the Finnish shipping company Viking Line, which runs daily between Stockholm and Turku. "It was the first ferry that Hella marine equipped with innovative LED lighting. That was in 2013," says Ansgar Hinrichs, Global Sales Manager of the Hella marine brand, under which FORVIA HELLA has been producing lighting solutions specifically for the shipping industry in Romania, Austria and New Zealand since 1925. Since then, Hella marine has established itself as a partner in this segment and has equipped over 50 ships in the last ten years alone.

Innovative lighting on cruise ships: focus on safety, comfort and atmosphere​

On cruise ships in particular, lighting is more than just a functional necessity. "It also makes a significant contribution to safety, comfort and the atmosphere on board," says Hinrichs. Hella marine's bestsellers are LED spotlights that illuminate pool and wellness areas, cabins and public areas, for example. Ambient functions and lighting scenarios are also playing an increasingly important role. "Every customer has very different requirements, which we cover with our customised products." For example, the colour temperature, aperture angle, cable length, plug, decorative frame colours and preferred dimming system can be selected. "Intelligent lighting systems that automatically adapt to the needs of passengers are also becoming increasingly popular, for example." Keywords such as "Dim-To-Warm" and "Human Centric Lighting" are important here. With the "Dim-To-Warm" concept, for example, the light can be dimmed from a cool white with 5000 Kelvin to a cosy dinner light with 2700 Kelvin. "Human Centric Lighting" adapts the lighting to the time of day: In the morning, bright, white light provides energy, while warmer light in the evening promotes tiredness and relaxation.

LED technology for sustainability and efficiency at sea​

The topic of sustainability and efficiency is also becoming increasingly important. The International Maritime Organisation, for example, has set itself the goal of achieving net-zero emissions from shipping by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2040 compared to 2008 levels. "There are up to 180,000 individual independent light points on a ship," says Hinrichs. "By using LED lamps, cruise ships can significantly reduce their energy consumption. This is because LEDs have a longer service life and require less maintenance, which leads to a reduction in operating costs and environmental impact," explains Hinrichs.

Refurbishment business harbours great potential​

In addition to equipping new ships with LED products, Hella marine is also active in the refurbishment sector. "After ten years in service, most ships require a refit, i.e. a comprehensive overhaul or modernisation. This harbours enormous potential for us," says Hinrichs. "Our competitive advantage is that we can quickly supply our customers with a suitable spare part at any time." Hella marine has set up a unique system that allows products to be clearly assigned. "We have precise information about which light we have supplied at which position on which ship with which mechanical and customer-specific interfaces." Hella marine also has the necessary capacity to manufacture and supply spare parts in the shortest possible time. This would ensure that the Viking Grace is always safely illuminated when travelling in the Finnish archipelago.