Vard and ILS team up on icebreakers

One area of cooperation will be the further development and implementation of ILS’s patented Detachable IceBreaking Bow (DIBB) in new markets.

This is the first time the two companies have joined forces. “Our agreement with ILS will assist both companies in helping current and new clients in identifying their needs and in providing the designs that address these,” explained Vard Marine’s chief executive, Wade Carson. “The two companies’ shared values include putting our clients first and providing objective and unbiased advice,” he added.

The ILS DIBB, with its independent power plant, allows icebreaking to be added to new and existing ships as and when required, rather than being built into the vessel with all the size, weight, cost and efficiency impacts that this implies.

Most recently Vard Marine has developed the conversion designs for the Canadian Coast Guard’s Medium Icebreakers from an original ILS hull design. These ships are now some of the Coast Guard’s most powerful and effective assets.

“During the last five years, we have done design and consulting work for paying customers in 14 different countries,” said ILS’s chief executive, Kristian Lehtonen. “Cooperation with the highly skilled professionals of Vard Marine will further expand our horizons.”