Dual-Fuel Icebreaker Polaris Enters Service in Finland

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday November 3, 2016

Arctech Helsinki Shipyard (Arctech) Tuesday announced that Finland’s newest dual-fuel icebreaker Polaris is ready for service with Finnish Transport Agency (FTA).

As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, the newbuild low sulfur diesel-liquefied natural gas (LNG) hybrid propulsion icebreaker is noted to be the first LNG-powered icebreaker in the world.

"Icebreaker Polaris is unique in many ways. It is the first icebreaker in the world capable of running on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and ultra-low-sulphur diesel," explained Arctech.

"Its total output of about 22 MW also makes it Finland’s most powerful icebreaker. Polaris is the most environmentally friendly diesel-electric icebreaker in the world."

In June, Ship & Bunker reported that Polaris was bunkered for the first time 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 represents a new generation of icebreakers. Arctia supports the proposed ban on the use of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic. The use of LNG and the vessel’s built-in oil recovery system are the future of cost effective multipurpose icebreakers," said Tero Vauraste, President and CEO of Arctia Ltd. (Arctia)

"We are proud to be the owner of the world’s most environmentally friendly icebreaker, which will safeguard our customers’ winter transport needs in the Baltic Sea”, says Tero Vauraste, President and CEO of Arctia Ltd., the owner and operator of IB Polaris."

Ship & Bunker News Team
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