Arctech Helsinki shipyard began sea trials for the icebreaking rescue vessel Baltika on March 6, 2014.
Baltika, to be used in icebreaking, rescue and oil combatting operations in the Gulf of Finland, is the first ship ever to break ice sideways. In oblique mode the vessel is able to generate 50 m wide channel in 0.6 m thick ice. Bow and stern first the vessel can operate in 1.0 m thick ice.
The design of the vessel is based on ARC 100 concept, which has been developed by Aker Arctic Technology. The vessel measures 76.4 m in length and 20.5 m in breadth. The three main diesel generator sets have the total power of 9 MW and the total propulsion power is 7.5 MW.
The trials will last for a couple of days. Baltika will be delivered to the Russian Federal Agency of Sea and River Transport in spring 2014.
[mappress] March 6, 2014