Finnish LNG-powered icebreaker bunkers at Vuosaari Harbour

Finnish LNG-powered icebreaker Polaris, recently bunkered liquefied natural gas at Helsinki’s Vuosaari Harbour before setting off for its first sea trial, Skangas said. 

The “world’s first” LNG-powered icebreaker was bunkered by a truck-to-ship method, with the chilled fuel provided by Skangas.

Polaris is a dual-fuel icebreaker able to use both LNG and low sulphur diesel as its fuel.

Tommy Mattila, Skangas sales and marketing director, said that once Finland’s first LNG terminal in Pori opens in August, the vessel will be able to bunker directly at the terminal.

Skangas, a unit of Gasum, is progressing the construction of the Tornio Manga LNG terminal that is scheduled for completion in 2018, it said.

The LNG-icebreaker was built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard. It is designed for a 50-year service life and is scheduled for delivery to its owner, Arctia Shipping, during winter of 2016.