New LNG icebreaker for Finland
The Finnish Transport Agency (FTA) is updating its icebreaking capacity with a new basic icebreaker – the worlds first to be powered by LNG – to be built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard.
The icebreaker, which is costing around €123m, will feature the most advanced technology and has been designed for operations in the most demanding conditions in the Baltic Sea.
It will be able to perform oil spill response operations and emergency towing all year round and will be powered by both diesel and LNG to reduce both emissions and fuel costs.
“Our goal is that the business model adopted for the operations of the new icebreaker will enhance competition. The Finnish icebreaking operations were opened to competition already in 2004, but in practice the opened competition has neither created effective markets nor improved efficiency,” said Antti Vehviläinen, director general FTA.
The new vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2016.
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