Linde to supply icebreaker LNG fuel tanks

JUNE 17, 2014 — Sweden’s Linde Group has been awarded a contract by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard of Finland to build an LNG fuel gas system for the new icebreaker it is building for the Finnish Transport Agency.

The icebreaker will be powered one 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF, two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF, and two 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines capable of operating on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low sulfur diesel fuel. When launched in late 2015, it will be the first LNG-powered icebreaker in the world.

The LNG tanks  will be the biggest ever installed for this kind of application. They will be supplied by Cryo AB, part of Linde’s Engineering Division.

The core of the LNG fuel gas system consists of two 400 cu.m vacuum-insulated tanks which will be installed vertically below deck. Cryo will develop and manufacture the system at its premises in Gothenburg, Sweden. Linde notes that Cryo’s technology is proven to allow a safe and efficient storage of LNG onboard various ship types.

“This project is an important step for the marine industry. In the wake of a growing environmental awareness and stricter emission standards there is clearly an increasing commitment to LNG as marine fuel,” said Lars Persson, Managing Director of Cryo AB. “We are proud to contribute to this important development. The contract award shows once again our strong market recognition for LNG fuel systems.”