A totally new concept of a detachable icebreaking bow, which is self-propelled and connected to a tugboat during the winter season, has been taken into use in Lake Saimaa, Finland’s largest freshwater lake, and the Saimaa Canal. The lake has a number of industries located on its wide shores and the canal connects the lake district with the Gulf of Finland. It is a vital transport channel for exports and imports of goods. The detachable bow brings more efficient icebreaking and ice management operations to the area.
The concept was developed by ILS Oy for the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. Aker Arctic designed and delivered the two shaft lines and propellers for the bow, two bronze propellers for the tug and the Ice Load Monitoring System, which can be supervised remotely, as well as performing the ice model tests to verify the design before construction.
This bow will be pushed by the tug boat Calypso, which usually assists vessels in sea-ports in Southern Finland.
Read more in the Arctic Passion News:
Detachable icebreaking bow for Lake Saimaa #1/2018
Self-propelled icebreakingbow Saimaa commissioned #1/2021
Full-scale trials of Calypso and Saimaa #2/2021
