The icebreaker vessel is currently moored in Lappeenranta's Mustola harbor and has started working this winter on Lake Saimaa and the nearby deep waterways.

The removable bow, the largest motorized bow of its kind in the world, was supplied by Turku Repair Yard as part of the Sea II Winter Navigation Motorways project.

The EUR 7.6 million scheme, co-funded by the EU Connecting Europe Facility, aims to build and upgrade the winter maritime navigation system and its winter safety.

One of its main goals was the development of a removable bow concept for motorized icebreaking, which would enable ice-strengthened vessels to be used as icebreakers during the winter.

“We have operations in Lappeenranta, so we can see first-hand how harsh winter conditions directly impact shipping transport. This new kind of removable bow will make the whole industry more efficient and sustainable, as it will enable virtually any kind of tug to become an icebreaker ship,” said Kari Savolainen, Project Manager at Danfoss Editron.

Maritime Business World