New Support Icebreaker in Antarctic Featuring W?rtsil? Propulsion Machinery

A new Polar Logistics Vessel being built for Terre Australes et Antarctiques Françaises (TAAF) and the French Polar Institute (IPEV), and which will be operated by the French Navy, is to be powered by Wärtsilä propulsion solutions. The ship has been contracted by Chantiers Piriou (Concarneau, France), based on a concept design issued by Marine Assistance (France) and is scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2017. The contract for the Wärtsilä equipment was signed in October.

The 72 meter polar logistics and patrol icebreaker vessel will carry out its first supply mission to the Dumont d'Urville station in Antarctica in winter 2018. The stainless steel propellers to be supplied by Wärtsilä conform to the Bureau Veritas (BV) icebreaker 5 ice class rules. Wärtsilä's experience and strong track record in providing solutions for icebreakers and arctic research and support vessels were prime considerations in the award of the propulsion contract.

The full scope of supply comprises four in-line Wärtsilä 20 main engines, two Wärtsilä stainless steel CPP propellers and shaft lines, two Wärtsilä reduction gears, four Wärtsilä NOR emissions after treatment systems, and one Wärtsilä tunnel thruster. The Wärtsilä NOR (NOx Reducer) systems will enable the ship to comply with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Tier III emission regulations.

"For this type of vessel that will be operating in the most challenging ice and weather conditions, reliability and efficient performance are essential. Wärtsilä has a strong reference list indicating our ability to fulfil these requirements and we are extremely pleased to be cooperating with Chantiers Piriou in this project," says Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

The ship will have accommodation for 60 persons, a cargo capacity of 1200 metric tons, and is fitted with a helideck large enough to accommodate two helicopters. The Wärtsilä equipment is planned for delivery in mid-2016.