Author(s): Goran Wilkman; Kimmo Juurmaa; Tom Mattsson; Juhani Laapio; Bjorn Fagerstrom

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Abstract: The oil transportation in the icy waters is increasing rapidly and capable tonnage is needed. In the early 1990’ies Kvaerner Masa- Yards together with ABB developed the podded propulsion device Azipod, where the characteristics of a Z-drive and electric propulsion are combined. Combining the new propulsion and old idea of “bow propellers” Kvaerner Masa- Yards has developed a new philosophy to utilize the both ends of the vessel to maximum efficiency. This work has resulted to a design, where the vessel navigates in ice free and mild ice conditions running bow first and in severe ice conditions the vessel runs astern. Finally the ideas materialized to two DAT tankers to be built for Fortum Shipping in Japan at the Sumitomo Yokosuka Shipyard. The vessels were delivered in late 2002 and since then they have trafficed independently between the oil terminal (Fortum refinery) in Porvoo and the Primorsk Oil terminal in Russia some 25 return voyages during the winter in 2003. In March 2003 dedicated ice trials along with a normal voyage were carried out to study the capability of the vessels. This paper describes the conditions where the tests were conducted and test results.

DOI:

Year: 2004