Skangas bunkers the world’s first LNG-powered icebreaker

Skangas has made the first delivery of LNG for Polaris, the world’s first LNG-powered icebreaker. Polaris

is a dual-fuel icebreaker using LNG as the primary fuel and diesel as a reserve fuel. The world’s most

environmentally friendly icebreaker was bunkered from two LNG road tankers at Helsinki’s Vuosaari

Harbour on June 18–19, 2016 before her first sea trial on LNG.

“Polaris will provide a major increase in security for Finland’s winter navigation – with an added bonus

of being powered with environmentally friendly LNG. We are determined to ensure the efficient and

reliable year-round operability of shipping for Finland’s businesses,” said Jarkko Toivola, Head of Winter

Navigation Unit at the Finnish Transport Agency.

“Polaris represents a new generation of Baltic Sea icebreakers. The special hull design and propulsion

arrangement coupled with high power ensure the best icebreaking capacity in the Baltic Sea as well as

excellent maneuverability,” commented Esko Mustamäki, Managing Director of Arctech Helsinki

Shipyard, builder of Polaris.

“This is the world’s first LNG-powered icebreaker. LNG is excellently suited for use as a marine fuel as it’s

a great alternative to oil, and being environmentally friendly is one of its strengths. Once Finland’s first

LNG terminal is opened in August, the vessel can also be bunkered directly from the terminal, or

bunkering can take place from road tankers at ports around the country,” added Skangas Sales and

Marketing Director Tommy Mattila.

NGS INDIA