Finland Unveils Design For New Vessel To Replace World’s Oldest Operational Icebreaker

Finland has approved the design for a new icebreaker that will replace the 70-year-old Voima, the world’s oldest working icebreaker.

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (FTIA) said the vessel is designed to operate efficiently in both icy conditions and open water in the Bothnian Sea and the Gulf of Finland.

The new B+ icebreaker will be about 96 metres long with 10.5 megawatts of engine power, the same as the Voima.

Its width will be 24 metres, wider than Voima’s 19 metres, which, combined with a modern hull and propulsion system, will improve its performance in ice and open water.

The propulsion system, a key part of the design, combines traditional straight shaft lines and rudders with a bow-mounted reversible rudder propeller.

FTIA says that this setup will give the vessel better manoeuvrability and ice-handling while keeping maintenance and operation simple.

Other designs with multiple rotating units were considered but rejected due to higher complexity and cost without significant advantages for a B+ icebreaker.

The icebreaker will be able to create a 25-metre-wide channel, similar to larger A-class vessels, making it suitable to assist shipping traffic efficiently.

While it will operate in open water, its main role will be icebreaking, particularly during early winter in the Bothnian Bay and, if needed, in harsher conditions in the Bothnian Sea and Gulf of Finland.

The Voima, built in 1954, has played a key role in Finland’s icebreaking fleet.

It was the first icebreaker in the world with two bow propellers and helped Finland become a leader in icebreaker design and construction.

It also underwent a major refit in 1978–1979 and remains in use.

Operator Arctia recently reported that Voima had left Katajanokka, Helsinki, to assist merchant ships in Tornio, Kemi, and Oulu for this winter season.

Construction of the new icebreaker is scheduled to start in 2027, with delivery expected by September 2029.

The project is part of the WINMOS IV (Winter Navigation Motorways of the Sea) programme and has received EUR 42–49 million in funding from the Connecting Europe Facility.

Experts involved in the project said the design focuses on reliability, functionality, and cost-efficiency, ensuring the vessel will meet Finland’s icebreaking needs for decades.

Reference: Vayla

Source: Maritime Shipping News