World’s first motorised detachable icebreaking bow to be launched in Saimaa, Finland. The detachable bow, which will be attached to a tugboat, will significantly improve icebreaking in the Saimaa Canal, and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s aim is for vessels to be able to operate in the Saimaa Canal nearly year-round in the future. Existing icebreakers operating in the Saimaa Canal cannot always assist merchant vessels effectively in difficult ice conditions.
HPP assisted the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency during the construction of the detachable bow at the Turku Repair yard and delivery of the bow.
The detachable bow was delivered over to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency on 3 December 2020. If winter progresses normally, the detachable bow will be used for icebreaking in Saimaa’s waters before Christmas.
