Polaris The first LNG-powered icebreaker in the world Polaris represents a new generation of icebreakers. It is the world’s first icebreaker powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The use of both LNG and low sulphur diesel reduces the vessel’s emissions significantly, making it also the most environmentally friendly diesel- electric icebreaker ever built. Polaris is built and delivered by Arctech. Building began on March 4th 2015, Polaris is powered by Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel at the Helsinki Shipyard. engines operating on LNG and low sulphur diesel fuel. The concept design for the icebreaker was developed by Aker Arctic. The steel construction, special outfitting, oil recovery, interior Polaris will be a part of and deck outfitting design and Arctia’s versatile fleet of specifications were carried outby ILS. icebreakers. The built-in oil recovery system delivered by Lamor Corporation has a recovery capasity of 1 015 m³ with a rate of 200 m³/h. Technical specifications The vessel’s main task is fairway icebreaking on the Baltic Sea, which means assisting Length 110 m merchant vessels to and from Baltic Sea ports Breadth maximum 24 m in wintertime. In addition, Polaris can perform Operational draught 8 m oil spill response operations, emergency Displacement 3 000 t towing and rescue operations on the open Installed power 22 MW sea all year round. The unique vessel has been Propulsion power 19 MW designed for the most demanding icebreaking Speed 17 kn conditions on the Baltic Sea. The special hull Speed at 1.2 m ice 6 kn form and propulsion arrangement minimize Pollard pull 214 tn ice resistance and maximize the icebreaking Oil recovery capacity 1 015 m³ with capacity. a rate of 200 m³/h Crew 16 Polaris begins its service at a historical time. Endurance 30 days In 2017, Finland celebrates its 100 years Nationality Finland as an independent nation. The theme for Fin- Classification Lloyd’s Register land’s centenary year, “Together”, is also an ap- propriate term for describing the design and building process of Polaris. It is the result of Technical specifications and innovations world-famous Finnish know-how in designing, for the icebreaker are based on building and operating heavy icebreakers. the requirements for year-round seaborne transport as defined by theFTA . Arctia’s premier polar class icebreaker Polaris is engineered for 50 years of service life and it is operated by a crew of 16 seafarers with solid Arctic experience. Arctia maintains the Polaris is the latest piece of evidence of competence and expertise of its personnel the Finnish Marine Industries’ ability through continuous training. to build vessels for the Arctic region. Icebreaker Polaris is co-financed by the Euro- pean Union’s TEN-T programme. The propulsion system is based on Azipod propulsion provided by ABB. Efficient icebreaking with Azipod propulsion from ABB The Polaris propulsion system is based on In addition to the Azipod system, ABB provided an efficient Azipod® propulsion and it applies frequency converters for the propulsion and a novel three propulsion unit concept, in an electric power plant including two 6 500 kVA which one 6 MW unit is located at the bow and two 4 850 kVA generators, a 3.3 kV main and two 6.5 MW units at the stern. Polaris switchboard and two ship supply transform- is the first icebreaker with an Azipod unit at ers, as well as remote control and remote the bow and the new system will considerably diagnostic systems. The well proven electric enhance the vessel’s maneuverability and power plant and propulsion concept ensures icebreaking capability. reliable and high efficiency operation both in ice-breaking and other duties. An Azipod unit at the bow will considerably enhance the vessel´s maneuverability and icebreaking capability. The Polaris propulsion system is based on Azipod propulsion, improving icebreaking performance. Photo: Arctech The first LNG-powered icebreaker in the world from Aker Arctic Aker Arctic’s main responsibility was the devel- muth thruster version (two in stern, one in bow) opment of the concept design. The company was finally selected as a basis for the new build- started the evaluation of Polaris in 2012, by ing project. The vessel concept was then jointly conducting a study of the available technolo- developed by FTA, Aker Arctic and ILS. gies. The study included, for example, an eval- uation of the suitability of LNG machinery for Other responsibility areas of Aker Arctic icebreakers. In 2013, FTA formulated a techni- included hull form development, layout de- cal framework for the design tender. After sign- sign, power and performance, ice model ing the design contract, Aker Arctic evaluated tests, propulsion arrangement and dual fuel the different vessel concepts, and the three azi- machinery, as well as hull ice strengthening. A CFD analysis was carried out to minimize open water resistance while keeping good icebreaking abilities. Photo: Aker Arctic Builder of the first LNG-powered icebreaker Arctech Helsinki Shipyard started building Arctech has a long experience in building Polaris, the first LNG-powered icebreaker icebreakers and icebreaking vessels. The next of the world, on March 4th 2015, commem- generation icebreaker Polaris is an important orating the 150th anniversary of the Helsinki part of the shipyard’s reference list, which Shipyard. Arctech was responsible for the ves- covers the majority of icebreakers operating sel’s design on both basic and detailed level, around the world. sourcing of equipment and components, out- fitting, commissioning, as well as testing and delivery. Polaris in dry dock at Arctech Helsinki Shipyard. Photo: Arctech Owner and operator of Polaris Polaris will join one of the strongest icebreak- port, service work for production platforms, er fleets in the world under Arctia, a limited and the installation and maintenance of un- company that continues the 125-year-old derwater structures. Finnish icebreaking tradition. Arctia provides icebreaking services and specialized multipur- Polaris is the eighth heavy icebreaker in the pose vessel services in polar areas. The com- company’s versatile fleet. Designed for de- pany has experience from both the Northern manding icebreaking operations in the Baltic Sea Route and the Northwest Passage, as well Sea and fitted for oil recovery and emergen- as offshore operations in the Arctic. Arctia’s cy towing, Polaris will further improve Arctia’s offshore services include ice management, capabilities as a reliable maritime partner in pipe and cable laying, towing, research sup- harsh conditions. Polaris is designed to operate in challenging conditions of the Baltic Sea. Photo: Arctech The Finnish Transport Agency supervised the design and building processes of Polaris The technical specifications and innova- FTA is the responsible authority for safe- tions of the icebreaker Polaris are based guarding winter traffic to and from all Finn- on the requirements for year-round sea- ish winter ports, on the coasts of both the borne transport as defined by the Finnish Baltic Sea and Lake Saimaa. The FTA handles Transport Agency (FTA). The FTA supervised public office duties and all procurement the design and building processes of Po- associated with winter navigation and traffic laris that made full use of the expertise of assistance. The FTA is also tasked with the the Finnish maritime cluster. The building national coordination of winter navigation process is co-financed by the EU, through operative tasks, development and guidance. the WINMOS programme. The vessel traffic services (VTS) in Finland are operated by the Finnish Transport Agency. Photo: FTA Over a hundred years of experience in building state-of-the-art icebreakers The Finnish Marine Industries has built ice- vestments in marine technology, together breakers for over a century: 60 percent of with the unique co-operation network between the world’s icebreakers are made in Finland. the industry and authorities have brought Polaris is the latest proof of Finnish operators’ Finland a leading role in energy efficient, safe extraordinary ability to integrate sustainable, and environmentally sound marine solutions. high tech systems and equipment to a vessel Today, the Finnish Marine Industries consists made for harsh climates. of nearly 900 companies, including high technology maritime solution providers, The Finnish Marine Industries has great- leading marine equipment manufacturers, ly benefited from the Baltic Sea, which has turn-key suppliers, designers, software and proven its worth as a testing place for Arctic system providers as well as shipbuilding, ship conditions. Long-term R&D&I and heavy in- repair and offshore yards. Photos: Elomatic Designers constitute an important The Finnish Marine Industries is part of ship-building. a forerunner in digitalization. Polaris is powered by Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel engines operating on LNG and low sulphur diesel fuel Polaris is powered by Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel tract partners. For Polaris, Wärtsilä provided engines capable of operating on both one 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF, two 9-cylinder liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low sulphur Wärtsilä 34DF, and two 12-cylinder Wärt- diesel fuel. By enabling LNG to be used as silä 34DF engines. Additionally, Wärtsilä has the engine fuel, both exhaust emissions and a five-year maintenance contract for all en- fuel costs are notably reduced, making Polaris gines and generators including spare parts, the most environmentally friendly icebreaker remote online support, CBM monitoring and ever built. training services. Wärtsilä’s industry leading track record in dual-fuel engine technology and the en- gines’ impressive power output per cylinder were crucial factors when choosing con- Dual fuel engine capability enables ships to be operated on either conventional liquid marine fuels or LNG. The switch between fuels can be made seamlessly without loss of power or speed. Photo: Wärtsilä Polaris is a modern representative of Finnish icebreaker design ILS participated in the conceptual design of Polaris, with a focus on steel construction, special outfitting, oil recovery, interior and deck outfitting design and specifications.