EMEA News
Icebreaker Polaris Receives First LNG Bunker Supply from Skangas
Skangas AS (Skangas) has announced that it provided the liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered icebreaker Polaris with its first delivery of LNG bunkers.
As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, Polaris, a newbuild low sulfur diesel-LNG hybrid propulsion icebreaker, is noted to be the first LNG-powered icebreaker in the world.
"This is the world's first LNG-powered icebreaker. LNG is excellently suited for use as a marine fuel as it's a great alternative to oil, and being environmentally friendly is one of its strengths," explained Tommy Mattila, Skangas' Sales and Marketing Director.
"Once Finland's first LNG terminal is opened in August, the vessel can also be bunkered directly from the terminal, or bunkering can take place from road tankers at ports around the country."
Polaris is said to have been bunkered at Helsinki's Vuosaari Harbour from two LNG road tankers on June 18 and 19, 2016, before departing for the vessel's first sea trial.
"Polaris will provide a major increase in security for Finland's winter navigation – with an added bonus of being powered with environmentally friendly LNG. We're determined to ensure the efficient and reliable year-round operability of shipping for Finland's businesses," says Jarkko Toivola, Head of Winter Navigation Unit at the Finnish Transport Agency.
Last year, Wärtsilä Corporation (Wärtsilä) announced that it would be supplying Polaris' dual-fuel engines.
