A naming ceremony was held today for Finland’s new-generation icebreaker, Polaris, built at Arctech Helsinki Shipyard.
Presently under construction at Helsinki Shipyard, the vessel is designed especially for icebreaking operations in the Baltic Sea and will be fitted for oil recovery and emergency towing.
Serving as the vessel’s godmother is Paula Risikko, Second Deputy Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, who called Polaris “a great example of Finnish Arctic know-how.”
The nearly 110-meter-long vessel’s design and construction features various Finnish technological innovations, such as ice-strengthened propulsion units and an effective oil recovery system integrated into the hull. Furthermore, the icebreaker will be powered by both diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reduce both carbon emissions and fuel costs, making Polaris the most environmentally friendly icebreaker in the world, according to its builders.
The vessel’s name, Polaris, refers to both the North Star, an important navigational star for seafarers on northern seas, and to the polar class of the ship, enabling operations in multi-year ice conditions.
"It is our responsibility to provide the operating framework for winter navigation and to ensure effective year-round seaborne transport in Finland,” said Antti Vehviläinen, Director General of the Finnish Transport Agency, in welcoming the new vessel and its added icebreaking capability.
In the coming weeks Polaris will be floated out of the construction hall and moved to the outfitting quay for final outfitting and commissioning. The icebreaker is expected to be handed over to its owner, state-owned shipping company Arctia Shipping, in winter 2016.