New support icebreaker in Antarctic featuring Wärtsilä 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 metre 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.

Link to related pages on wartsila.com:
The Wärtsilä 20 engine
The Wärtsilä controllable pitch propellers
Wärtsilä gears leaflet
Wärtsilä Transverse Thrusters
Wärtsilä NOx Reducer (NOR)

Link to image
Caption: The new Polar Logistics Vessel will be powered by Wärtsilä machinery.

Media contacts: 

Mr Glenn Mattas
General Manager, Europe & Africa
Wärtsilä Marine Solutions
Tel: +358 10 709 1649
glenn.mattas@wartsila.com

Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
Senior Manager Marketing, Communications, Marine Solutions
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 10 709 1439
marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com

Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximizes the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. 
In 2014, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 4.8 billion with approximately 17,700 employees. The company has operations in more than 200 locations in nearly 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com

About Piriou
Involved in shipbuilding, repair, naval engineering and services since 1965, PIRIOU specializes in producing medium sized vessels up to 120 m in length with high added value through a combination of high-performance engineering and a global network of industrial sites in Europe, Africa and Asia. With more than 400 ships built and delivered worldwide, PIRIOU provides, on a global scale, bespoke solutions as well as a complete range of standardized or customized vessels that satisfy the requirements of international ship-owners, whether they be private or public, civilian or military.
www.piriou.com

About Marine Assistance
Marine Assistance (Paris - France) is an independent ship design consultant, offering is know-how and services to assist customers to issue reliable and innovative concept designs and to manage the project from the preliminary studies to the delivery of the vessel.
www.marineassistance.com