A new breed of ice-breaking vessel that can clear wider swathes of ice will boost the development of global shipping lanes in the Arctic
THE clank of hammers, the grind of machinery and the crackle of welding torches echo in a seemingly endless shed at the Arctech Helsinki shipyard in Finland.
Since June, about 200 workers have been assembling the skeleton of the Baltika, the first of a new breed of ice-breaking ship designed to cut a wide path through Arctic ice with its asymmetric hull. On completion early next year, Baltika will enter service under the Russian flag, clearing the way for large ships bound for ports like St Petersburg in the Gulf of Finland.
Baltika will be in the vanguard of global shipping’s rush into the Arctic. Thinning ice is already luring vessels to the waters off Russia’s northern coast, which offer a shorter route from Europe to Asia than the typical passage through the Suez Canal. In 2012, 46 ships were granted passage by Russia’s Northern Sea Route Administration. This year, the number is already over 250.
For now, ice is the biggest hurdle to development of the route, and also hinders frigid ports in Finland and neighbouring Russia. Icebreakers can be hired as escorts, but they are typically only able to punch channels about 25 metres wide – too narrow for the larger classes of container ships. Doubling the escort widens the channel, but at greater cost.
At 76 metres long by 20 metres wide, the Baltika will use its unique asymmetric hull to cut swathes through the ice. Each of the three engine pods mounted around the hull can rotate to deliver thrust in any direction. These azimuth thrusters allow the vessel to swing round and attack the ice at an angle of up to 30 degrees (see diagram). Meanwhile, fuel and bilge water is pumped around inside the hull to shift the vessel’s centre of gravity for optimal ice-breaking. The idea is for the ship to be able to make headway in ice up to 60 centimetres thick, while carving a channel 50 metres wide – enough for large container ships to follow.
The asymmetric hull has a major drawback, though. Modelling shows that it will pitch and roll irregularly at sea, and pilots will have to learn how to sail the vessel to compensate. “There are lots of different operational modes for the ship, all of which had to be addressed when working out how to use the power from each of the three thrusters,” says Mika Willberg, project manager at Arctech. “But, finally, after having trained on a simulator, you end up being able to drive this vessel with a joystick system.”
The Baltika is expected to stay in the Gulf of Finland, but subsequent boats of its design could help open the Northern Sea Route to global shipping traffic. That includes oil and gas resources from the Arctic, which Russia is keen to develop.
The Latest Bing News on:
Asymmetric hull
- Shipbuilding Newson May 9, 2024 at 4:59 pm
the Chugach Express boasts an 84.5’ x 30.7’ semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull.The new sightseeing vessel integrates the signature Teknicraft Design symmetrical and asymmetrical ...
- Asymmetric catalysis articles from across Nature Portfolioon May 6, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Asymmetric catalysis is a type of catalysis in which a chiral catalyst directs the formation of a chiral compound such that formation of one particular stereoisomer is favoured. Since the catalyst ...
- The truth behind Hull FC's head coach search after various linkson May 6, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Hull FC's search for a new head coach is ongoing, and while that search continues, the list of candidates grows and grows. However, despite reports suggesting the contrary, Hull Live has been told ...
- Dramatic video shows bus on fire as A63 shuts - causing gridlock across Hullon May 6, 2024 at 4:59 pm
A witness has taken a shocking video of a Stagecoach on fire as the A63 was forced to shut - triggering "severe congestion" across Hull. The bus caught fire earlier this afternoon in Clive ...
- All American Marine Delivers Hydrofoil-Assisted Tour Vessel to Phillips Glacierson April 29, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The new sightseeing vessel integrates the signature Teknicraft Design symmetrical and asymmetrical combined hull shape, bow wave piercer, and a patented hydrofoil-assisted hull design. The hull and ...
- Expert warns of 'chilling reality' TikTok threat poses: 'China's greatest asymmetric advantage'on April 14, 2024 at 4:59 am
FIRST ON FOX: China’s "infiltration" of civil discourse in the United States poses an "immediate" threat to Democracy and is one of the "greatest threats we face today" in terms of national ...
- USS Gerald R. Ford’s Engineering Triumph: Achieving Stability Against All Oddson April 11, 2024 at 9:26 pm
Ford, reveals a tapestry of design prowess and intricate calculation that allays any fears of capsizing despite the behemoth’s asymmetric ... with a knife-like hull and a towering superstructure ...
- Hull: The city where hundreds of failed asylum seekers go 'under the radar'on April 10, 2024 at 9:24 pm
In a bedsit in Hull, Sakhile unpacks the food parcel she's been given by a charity. On a small table are photographs of her two sons, who she hasn't seen since she boarded a plane bound for ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Asymmetric hull
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Asymmetric hull” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Ice-breaking vessel
- American Aid Ship Heads to Gaza, but the System for Unloading It Still Isn’t in Placeon May 10, 2024 at 7:25 am
An American vessel carrying aid intended for the Gaza has departed from Cyprus, the Pentagon said on Thursday, but the temporary floating pier constructed by the U.S. military is not in place to ...
- Exclusive: Mom speaks out after Air Force rescued son from cruise shipon May 9, 2024 at 9:00 am
Angela Bridges spoke exclusively to ABC News about how her 12-year-old son was rescued at sea by the Air Force.
- Icon of the Seas: The Best Dining, Amenities and More on Royal Caribbean’s New Shipon May 9, 2024 at 5:00 am
If you have any degree of interest in traveling or cruising, chances are you've heard the buzz around Icon of the Seas. Another record-breaking ship by Royal Caribbean International, Icon of the ...
- 14 brand new cruise ships that have it allon May 8, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Discover a selection of the best new river and ocean vessels to get excited about, launching between now and the end of 2024, plus some 2025 inclusions too... Never one to do things by halves, Royal ...
- This Ship Mysteriously Vanished 115 Years Ago. Now, It’s Been Found at the Bottom of Lake Superioron May 6, 2024 at 6:31 am
On May 1, 1909, the wooden steamship Adella Shores was following behind a larger vessel across the ice-covered waters of Lake Superior. Not long after rounding Michigan’s Whitefish Point, the Adella ...
- Ship That Went Missing on American Waterway Has Finally Been Foundon May 4, 2024 at 11:09 am
A ship that disappeared on Lake Superior in 1909 has been found. The Adella Shores, which went down on May 1, 1909, with 14 crew members aboard, has been found 650 feet below the surface and about 40 ...
- Princess Anne takes part in keys-to-the-ship ceremony for Arctic navy vessel in B.C.on May 3, 2024 at 4:59 pm
The first Arctic patrol vessel for Canada's Pacific fleet has officially been commissioned in a ceremony featuring Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles.
- Meet ‘Sherakhan,’ the 228-Foot Ice-Class Explorer Yacht With a Lavish Balinese Spaon May 3, 2024 at 7:00 am
This restored expedition yacht was named after the tiger king in "The Jungle Book." We take a look at its ten coolest features.
- Meet ‘Sherakhan,’ the 228-Foot Ice-Class Explorer Yacht With a Lavish Balinese Spon May 2, 2024 at 5:00 pm
It was built 50 years ago as an ice-breaking tug and used as a Dutch training ship before its current owner, businessman and sailor Jan Verkerk, acquired the vessel in 2006. Verkerk then oversaw its ...
- Couple who have been on 30 cruise ships left stranded after breaking golden ruleon May 2, 2024 at 4:11 am
A couple who have journeyed on 30 cruise ship holidays have found themselves stranded after breaking a golden rule. Cruise ship holidays are truly like no other you can go on, full of immersive ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Ice-breaking vessel
[google_news title=”” keyword=”ice-breaking vessel” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]