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On 28th September, Arctech Helsinki Shipyard delivered the dual-fuel icebreaker Polaris to the Finnish Transport Agency.

The vessel, which is to be operated by Arctia Icebreaking Oy, is able to run on either liquefied natural gas (LNG) or low-sulphur diesel oil. It is equipped with three Azipod propulsion units rotating at 360 degrees and has an icebreaking capacity of 1.8 metres at a speed of 3.5 knotes.

The Polarisis is said to comply with IMO Tier III international emission standards and Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements for sulphur emissions in the Baltic Sea.

The prototype vessel, built at Helsinki Shipyard, is designed to serve for at least 50 years in icebreaking, oil recovery and sea rescue operations.

Commenting on the Polaris, Esko Mustamaki, Managing Director of Arctech Helsinki Shipyard, said: "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."

The main particulars of the vessel are as follows:

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 Wartsila 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