Wartsila solutions picked for French polar logistics vessel
The ship has been ordered from French shipbuilder Chantiers Piriou, based on a concept design issued by Marine Assistance (France) and is scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2017.
The 72 m 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 ship will have accommodations for 60 persons, a cargo capacity of 1200 metric tons, and will be fitted with a helideck large enough to accommodate two helicopters.
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 (NOx reduction) emissions after treatment systems that will enable the ship to comply with IMO Tier III emission regulations, and one Wärtsilä tunnel thruster.
The stainless steel propellers conform to the Bureau Veritas (BV) icebreaker 5 ice class rules.
“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 Wärtsilä equipment is planned for delivery in mid-2016.