Stena Polaris Reaches Destination

After 35 days at sea, the Stena Polaris has arrived at the port of Yousu in South Korea. She has sailed via the icy and harsh North-East Passage along Russia’s northern coast. After arriving at her final destination, the ship was celebrated with representatives of the South Korean government, the corporate management of both Hyundai and the Stena Group and the port authorities attending.

The Stena Polaris began her voyage on 17 September in the port of Ust Luga in the Gulf of Finland with a cargo of 44,000 tons of naphtha. The voyage is a joint project between Stena Bulk and South Korean Hyundai Glovis, the shipping arm of the Hyundai Group.

The whole voyage has been reported in the form of Patrik Svahn’s blogs and photos from the ship. Patrik Svahn normally works in Stena Bulk’s office in Gothenburg but was the Company’s man on board. His reports have painted a picture of everyday life on board – the safety drills, waiting for an icebreaker so as to be able to pass through the most demanding areas, descriptions of the fascinating Arctic environment and a stormy trip across Barents Sea, etc.

“After enjoying the five course dinner at the expo center in Yeosu the ceremony came to an end. As they say, “all great things must come to an end”. As I was not heading back to the ship, I said my good byes to my fellow companions who had embarked on this adventure together with me. And it was with a bit of sadness that I shook the hand of Captain Stipanovic, Mr. Lee, the professor, Chief Engineer Donadic and the rest of my newly made friends. We all set sail to take a top modern tanker through an unexploited and harsh part of the world. And we succeeded. Not because of one man or two men but because of a team effort. A team effort by the greatest team on earth!”

Sailing via the North-East Passage offers the expansive Northern Asia opportunities to speed up the freight routes to and from the region.

The voyage with the Stena Polaris is the first project where technology and operational know-how have been transferred from Stena to Hyundai Glovis. At the same time, it is the beginning of important collaboration. Stena’s objective is to  expand in Asia together with good partners.

Higher safety requirements

The Stena Polaris has been built to ice class 1 A specifications in accordance with Det Norske Veritas (DNV), which means that it is well equipped to sail in ice-covered waters where broken ice can be up to 0.8 m thick. In addition to an ice-strengthened hull her rudder and propellers are technically adapted for operation in icy waters and her main engines have been modified to deliver greater power.

About the P-MAX tankers

The P-MAX tankers were designed and built by Stena and Concordia Maritime. They have a double hull, optimum corrosion control, two engine rooms with full water and fire integrity and two propulsion systems. Double propellers and rudders and a specially designed bridge layout give the tanker extremely good maneuverability and a 360° view, which facilitate safe navigation in narrow waters.

The Stena Polaris, which is owned by Concordia Maritime and has been time-chartered by Stena Bulk for this project, has the following technical data: Length: 183 m, beam: 40 m, draft: 11.3 m, deadweight: 65,000 tons.

Related:

Following Stena Polaris through North-East Passage

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Stena Group, October 24, 2013