Aker Arctic to design new icebreaker for Finnish Gov't
The Finnish Transport Agency has signed a contract with Aker Arctic Technology Oy for design of a new icebreaker for the Government. Aker Arctic in cooperation with ILS Oy will design the vessel and prepare the technical documents needed to hold tender for its construction in compliance with the performance requirements for the vessel, and will assist the Finnish Transport Agency in negotiations with shipyards later this autumn, the firm press release said.
The Government has already taken earlier a decision in principle to procure a new icebreaker; and 125 million euro has been earmarked for its construction by winter 2016. The icebreaking capacity of the new icebreaker in all parameters will comply with the Urho-class icebreaker. Due to its diesel-electric machinery, it will be able to move continuously through about 1.6 m thick level ice, to break a 25 meter wide channel in 1.2 meter thick ice at speed of 6 knots, as well as to reach 9-11 knots of average assistance speed in the Baltic Sea. The draught of the vessel with full fuel tanks should be maximum 8m, which enables operation and support to vessels on all major sea routes.
The cruising speed of the vessel in open water should be minim 16 knots. In addition, the new icebreaker will be equipped for oil spill response operations and will perform emergency towing missions 95% of the time in the open water and ice conditions prevailing in the Baltic Sea. It should be possible to collect oil with at significant wave height up to at least 2 meters, and 95% of the time in the wind conditions prevailing in the Baltic Sea.
The recovered oil tanks and heating capacities for recovered oil should be sufficient for at least 1500 m³ of collected quantities. The vessel will be designed for 50 years of service life, and the icebreaker will have accommodation in total for 24 persons, with reserve for additional crew in case of oil spill response operations. The ordered design materials should be completed so as to make it possible to begin the tender for construction of the icebreaker by end of autumn 2013. The ordered design materials should be completed so as to make it possible to begin the tender for construction of the icebreaker by end of autumn 2013.
Helsinki, Finland based Aker Arctic Technology Inc (AARC), is an independent company for arctic technology development. Major sharesholders of the firm are STX Finland Oy, ABB Oy and Aker Solutions ASA. Its ice model testing facility built in 2006 is currently considered the most modern one in the world. Aker Arctic employs over 40 people and, in addition to its testing services, it develops marine and offshore technology solutions. The company participated in the design of Canadian polar icebreaker, in the concept design of the Polar Research Vessel for China. Currently, the company is engaged in the development of the largest LNG vessel in collaboration with the Finnish Maritime Industry.