A new icebreaker being built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard for the Finnish Transport Agency will be powered by Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines capable of operating on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low sulphur diesel fuel. When launched in late 2015, it will be the first LNG-powered icebreaker in the world.
By enabling LNG to be used as the engine fuel, both exhaust emissions and fuel costs are notably reduced. Wärtsilä will supply one 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF, two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF, and two 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF engines. The contract was signed in March 2014, and delivery of the equipment to the yard will be made in spring 2015.
LNG Icebreaker
The new LNG icebreaker will be built to operate in the demanding winter conditions of the northernmost Baltic Sea. The vessel will be able to move continuously through 1.6 metres thick ice, and be capable of breaking a 25 metres wide channel in 1.2 metres thick ice at a speed of 6 knots. It will also be able to reach an average assistance speed of 9 to 11 knots and in open water the service speed will be a minimum of 16 knots.
While the main purpose of the vessel is icebreaking, it will independently be able to perform oil spill response operations and emergency towing under demanding conditions both in winter and summer. The vessel will, therefore, operate all year round to ensure safe seaborne transports in the Baltic Sea.
Picture: The new icebreaker built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard for the Finnish Transport Agency and powered by Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines will be the most environmentally friendly icebreaker ever built.
