Saimaa to use world’s 1st detachable icebreaking bow

The Saimaa Canal will use the first motorised detachable icebreaking bow in the world this winter.

The detachable bow was handed over to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency on 3 December 2020, said a press release of the agency.

If winter progresses normally, the detachable bow is due to be used for icebreaking in Saimaa’s water before Christmas.

The new detachable icebreaking bow will make it possible to keep Saimaa’s deep-water channels open the year-round.

“Industry in the Saimaa region has wished for the extension of the current traffic season, as it has to resort to substitute transport when the canal is closed. Existing icebreakers cannot always assist merchant vessels effectively in difficult ice conditions. The detachable bow is able to break ice that is up to 70cm thick,” said Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency Director-General Kari Wihlman.

The detachable bow, which will be attached to a tugboat, will significantly improve icebreaking in the Saimaa Canal, and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency aims for ships to be able to operate in the Saimaa Canal nearly year-round in the future.

“The development of the Saimaa winter navigation fleet and the construction of a detachable bow were first discussed in 2013, but the detachable bow project was initiated in 2018,” said Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s Director of Infrastructure Access and Information Services Juuso Kummala.

The detachable bow was designed by the engineering company ILS and built by Turku Repair Yard. Japa Tiko has been the project’s building supervisor.

In this combination, the Calypso tugboat owned by Alfons Håkans will be the driver. It will be connected to the motorised detachable bow with a three-point hitch to create an icebreaker with more power.

The detachable bow’s machinery is a hybrid solution which will store energy and, depending on the ice conditions, allow the ship to operate with one engine, saving fuel and reducing emissions.

“The detachable bow will be put in action immediately as winter progresses normally,” said Kummala.