Icebreaker orders continue for Finnish and Russian shipyards

Another 16 MW icebreaker has been ordered by the Russian Ministry of Transport from Vyborg shipyard, as part of a series of three newbuildings that have been requested recently.

The contract has been awarded jointly with the Arctech Helsinki Shipyard, the total value of which is estimated at EUR 100 million.

Design and Construction

The basic design and purchasing of major components will be provided by Vyborg Shipyard as well as almost half of the vessel’s hull blocks. Arctech will be responsible for the construction, outfitting and commissioning of the vessel.

The vessel is expected to be used in year-round operation in the Baltic Sea and in summer season in the Arctic seas. The vessel is able to operate in temperatures as cold as -40°С and the maximum icebreaking capability is 1.5 m.

The main tasks of the vessel are icebreaking and assisting of heavy-tonnage vessels in ice, towing of vessels and other floating structures in ice and open water. The vessel will also be used for fire fighting on floating objects and other facilities, assisting vessels in distress in ice and open water and also for cargo transportation.

Four main diesel generator sets with a total output of 27 MW will power the vessel whilst total propulsion power amounts to 18 MW with the assistance of two full-circle azimuth thrusters.

Continued Collaboration

Speaking about the order, Esko Mustamäki, Managing Director of Arctech Helsinki Shipyard, said: “It is a positive continuation of the icebreaking rescue vessel that Russian Ministry of Transport ordered a year ago, and which we are building together with Yantar Shipyard.”

Aleksandr Solovyev, Managing Director of Vyborg Shipyard, said: “This order is undoubtedly the next step in the development of co-operation between Vyborg Shipyard and Arctech Helsinki Shipyard. In addition to this, adding one technically advanced vessel to our order books, which the 16 MW icebreaker is, allows both companies to present themselves as forerunners in building icebreaking special vessels”

The project is set to start immediately and the vessel will be delivered to the Ministry of Transport in August 2015.