The globe’s very first LNG powered icebreaker, Polaris, has actually sustained up for the very first time in Tornio, Finland, residence to the Nordic nations’ biggest dissolved gas terminal.

The bunkering occurred Saturday, February second, in the icy RöyttäHarbour

The diesel-electric icebreaker, Polaris, signed up with the fleet of Finnish icebreaker driver, Arctia Ltd., in September 2016. The vessel runs under agreement with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, which is in charge of Finland’s icebreaking solutions and also for making certain that Finland’s harbors can be accessed throughout the year.

Use of LNG gas makes the Polaris among one of the most environmentally-friendly icebreakers on the planet.

“This is the third winter in the demanding, icy conditions of the northern Baltic Sea for the world’s first LNG-powered icebreaker. Polaris has met our expectations with flying colors proving that it is truly a next generation icebreaker,” claims Markus Karjalainen, Head of the Winter Navigation Unit of FTIA.

The Tornio LNG incurable opened up in 2018 and also includes LNG bunkering, LNG evaporating centers, and also a 50,000 cbm tank that is maintained continuously at the temperature level of -163 ° C. Built by Wärtsilä, the terminal is possessed by Manga LNG Ltd, however it’s a joint task in between Outokumpu and also SSAB steel mills, EPV Energy Ltd and also Skangas, the leading LNG business in the Nordic nations.

The Tornia LNG terminal is just one of 2 LNG bunkering terminals presently inFinland At 50,000 cbm of storage space, it is bigger than the Pori LNG terminal, situated better southern. A 3rd terminal is likewise prepared for Hamina, Finland, however it’s not due for conclusion up until 2020.

“Tornio’s new LNG terminal enables increased use of LNG when operating in the Bay of Bothnia,” Karjalainen included. “Until now, the northernmost suitable terminal was located in Pori, which is way too far from Polaris’ operating area in the far end of the Bothnian Bay. Some LNG has been delivered by truck, but Polaris has had to rely mainly on diesel.”

“In addition to using LNG, all of Polaris’ operations aim at environmental friendliness,” commented Pasi Järvelin, Master of IBPolaris “For example, the lubricant used in the ship’s propulsion system is biodegradable. The ship’s grey water, which basically consists of showering water, is collected to a container which is emptied during port calls. In other words, nothing is released to the sea, even if the water has been purified.”