The Icebreaking Multipurpose Emergency and Rescue Vessel “Baltika” was launched at Arctech Helsinki Shipyard

December 12, 2013

Arctech launched the icebreaking multipurpose emergency and rescue vessel for the Russian Federal Agency of Sea and River Transport and to be operated by the FGI Gosmorspassluzhba (Russian Marine Emergency Rescue Service) on 12 December 2013 at Helsinki Shipyard. Baltika will be used in icebreaking, rescue and oil combatting operations in the Gulf of Finland.

Icebreaking rescue vessel NB 508. Images by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc.

The vessel being built at Helsinki shipyard represents a completely new type of innovative technology. The vessel features an asymmetric hull, patented oblique design and three 360 degrees rotating propulsors, which allow the vessel to operate efficiently sideways, astern and ahead. In oblique mode the vessel will be able to generate 50 m wide channel in 0.6 m thick ice. Bow and stern first the vessel can operate in 1.0 m thick ice. The design of the vessel is based on ARC 100 concept, which has been developed by Aker Arctic Technology.

“It has been great to build the first-ever sideways operating icegoing vessel. I believe this vessel will be the benchmark when developing and building innovative Arctic vessels. The icebreaking multipurpose emergency and rescue vessel is technically advanced and building it has required a special knowledge”, comments the Managing Director of Arctech Helsinki Shipyard, Esko Mustamäki.

When the vessel is delivered, she will be used in the Gulf of Finland in icebreaking, rescue and oil combatting operations. The advanced oil recovery system is suitable for operation also in heavy waves. The vessel measures 76.4 m in length and 20.5 m in breadth. The three main diesel generator sets have the total power of 9 MW and the total propulsion power is 7.5 MW.

”This project is very important for Russian Federation. The building of this vessel and its future operation in the Gulf of Finland is a significant step in the co-operation between Finland and Russia”, comments the Head of the Federal Agency for Sea and River Transport “Rosmorrechflot”, Alexander Davydenko.

The vessel is being built in co-operation with Kaliningrad based Shipyard Yantar JSC, which has produced the blocks of the vessel. The hull assembly started in June 2013 at Helsinki Shipyard. In addition to hull assembly, design, outfitting and commissioning is done by Arctech. The vessel will be delivered to the customer in spring 2014.

Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc. specializes in arctic shipbuilding technology, e.g. building icebreakers and other Arctic offshore and special vessels. Arctech is a joint-venture, which is 50/50 owned by STX Finland Oy and United Shipbuilding Corporation. The joint venture agreement was signed in December 2010. Arctech is located in Helsinki and has approximately 400 employees.

Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc. press release