IB Polaris is the most environmentally friendly diesel-electric icebreaker ever built. It uses both low sulphur diesel and LNG as fuel, which significantly reduces its emissions. The special hull form and propulsion arrangement will minimize ice resistance and maximize the icebreaking capacity of the vessel.
The main purpose of IB Polaris is icebreaking and assisting of other vessels in ice conditions in the Baltic Sea. IB Polaris is also able to perform oil spill response operations, emergency towing and rescue operations at open sea all year round.
Finland’s newest icebreaker Polaris will enter into service at a historical time. Next year Finland celebrates its 100 years as an independent nation. The theme for Finland’s big year, “Together”, is also an appropriate term to describe the design and building process of the new icebreaker. IB Polaris is the result of combined efforts by Finns and world-famous Finnish knowhow in designing, building and operating icebreakers.
The technical specifications and innovations for the icebreaker Polaris are based on the requirements for year-round seaborne transport as assessed by the Finnish Transport Agency. The expertise of the Finnish maritime cluster has been fully utilized in the planning and building process of Polaris under the supervision of the Finnish Transport Agency.
"It is our responsibility to provide the operating framework for winter navigation and to ensure effective year-round seaborne transport in Finland. We warmly welcome the new icebreaker which will provide added icebreaking capacity", says Antti Vehviläinen, Director General of the Finnish Transport Agency.
The new icebreaker’s design and technical features were presented to media attending the CIMAC World Congress in Helsinki by experts from ABB, Arctech, the Finnish Transport Agency, Aker Arctic, Arctia, Wärtsilä, ILS and Lamor.
To learn more from the role of the Finnish Transport Acency role in the design and build of IB Polaris, please contact Head of Winter Navigation Unit, Jarkko Toivola, phone +358 29 534 3327.
IB Polaris is co-financed by the TEN-T Programme of the European Commission.