Arctech Helsinki Delivers World’s First LNG-Powered Icebreaker to Finnish Government

The Finnish Transport Agency’s new icebreaker Polaris. Photo: Arctech Helsinki

Finnish shipbuilder Arctech Helsinki Shipyard has delivered the most world’s first LNG-powered icebreaker to the Finnish government.

The shipyard delivered the icebreaker Polaris Wednesday to the Finnish Transport Agency, which then handed the vessel over to Arctia Icebreaking, the Finnish state-owned company that will operate the vessel.

The prototype vessel is designed to serve for at least 50 years in icebreaking, oil recovery and sea rescue operations in the Baltic Sea, using both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low sulphur diesel oil as fuel.

The vessel complies with the international IMO Tier III emission standards and special requirement for Sulphur emissions in the Baltic Sea. The vessel is equipped with three 360° Azipod propulsion units enabling excellent maneuvering qualities. The icebreaking capacity of Polaris is 1.8 meters at speed of 3.5 knots.

“Icebreaker Polaris is extremely versatile vessel what concerns her technical properties,” said Managing Director of Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Esko Mustamäki. “She can operate in all ice conditions in the Baltic Sea and use in all circumstances either gas or diesel oil as fuel. We are proud we had this opportunity to build the vessel that will serve the Finnish winter navigation in coming decades.”

Polaris Main Particulars

• Length: 110 m
• Breadth: 24.4 m
• Draught, design: 8 m
• Speed: 17 kn
• Gross Tonnage: 9300
• Deadweight: 3000 t
• Crew: 16 (+8)
• Classification: Lloyd’s Register
• Ice class: PC4
• Diesel-electric propulsion
• Main engines Wärtsilä 2x 6000 kW, 2x 4500 kW, 1x 1280 kW, Dual fuel
• Azimuth prop. units ABB Azipod 2x 6500 kW (stern), 1 x 6000 kW (bow)
• LNG tanks: 2 x 400 m3
• Oil recovery capacity: 1400 m3
• Towing winch: 300 m, 110 t
• Bollard pull: 214 t
• Icebreaking capability 3.5 kn / 1.8 m
• Customer: Finnish Transport Agency

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up