Finland is planning to build 7 new icebreakers with the investment of about 1 Billion euro, Ulla Lainio, Leading Advisor of Finland Maritime and Offshore growth program at Finpro, told journalists during the media tour “Finland Maritime and Offshore - Icebreaker Technologies” organized by Finnfacts (independent and non-profit media service unit that operates as an interface between international media and Finnish industry and business). “4 icebreakers will be new generation multi-purpose vessels suitable for arctic offshore operations”, said Ulla Lainio. According to Finpro, modern multi-purpose icebreaker is some 15 % more expensive than conventional ice breaker. However, a traditional icebreaker of the Baltic Sea is used 30% of the year whereas a multi-purpose icebreaker - 80%. Icebreaking of Finnish sea routes is managed by state owned Arctia Shipping Oy. which currently has 7 icebreakers including ships for the Baltic.

Sea and multi-functional icebreakers. Ulla Lainio also said Finnish shipyards have capacity to build 5 ice breakers per year. The latest icebreaker built in Finland is IB Polaris. The icebreaker commissioned by the Finnish Transport Agency is set for operation in the Baltic Sea. The new vessel is featuring dual fuel capability, and as such will be the first icebreaker in operation able to run using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel, cutting both emissions and fuel cost. The icebreaker is also designed to perform oil spill response and emergency towing operations at open sea. The Polaris designed by Aker Arctic and built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard is due for delivery in 2016. Finpro is a publicly funded organization that helps Finnish companies go international, encourages foreign direct investment in Finland and promotes tourism.

Source by PortNews