Steerprop propulsion for Russian icebreakers

Under the contract, which is said to be worth over €30m, Steerprop will deliver two SP 110 ARC PULL propulsion systems to each new icebreaker. Each unit will have a power rating of 9,000kW and will be classified according to the Icebreaker 7 ice classification of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.

Steerprop says the units will be the most powerful mechanical azimuth propulsion systems in the world at the time of delivery.

Vesa Rautiainen, director, Steerprop, said: “This is a very significant contract for Steerprop Ltd. Ice-going vessels are always very demanding applications due to their tough operation conditions. As a result of ongoing research and development, we have refined our propulsion systems so that they will serve our clients even more efficiently and reliably even in the toughest operation conditions.”

The vessels are being built for the Russian Federal Agency of Marine and River Transportation. They will operate in up to 1.5m thick ice and will be used to assist tankers and cargo vessels and will act as towing and rescue vessels.

Two of the icebreakers will be built at the Vyborg Shipyard in Russia and the other at the Arctech Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland. The propulsion systems are expected to be delivered to the shipyards in 2014.