gCaptain reports the Finns are building another new ice-breaker, this one will be dual fuel, eg, able to Natural Gas.
Reportedly the vessel will “… be capable of operating continuously in ice up to 1.6m thick and break a 25 meter wide channel in 1.2 meter thick ice at a speed of 6 knots.”
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Reblogged this on Brittius.com.
The order was cancelled last Friday due to issues with bank guaranties. Hopefully they’ll have things sorted out before the end of the year.
Too bad, hope they work it out.
It is certain that the new icebreaker will be ordered. However, in the end both bidding shipyards (Arctech Helsinki Shipyard and STX Finland) were disqualified for the same reason. As a result, they had to re-open the bid so that both companies would get a second chance.
Not sure if this is the same breaker or not: http://www.marinelog.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=6268:finland-orders-lng-fueled-icebreaker&Itemid=231
Essentially the is for “domestic icebreaking” near Finland. Does not need the range we require for Polar Icebreakers.
It’s the same icebreaker. She will have three azimuth thrusters, one of which is in the bow of the vessel, and a combined shaft output of 19 MW. That makes her more capable in terms of icebreaking performance than USCGC Healy, but with less power.
Some drawings and data on slides 47 and 48:
Click to access J%C4%C4NMURTAJAT%20JA%20TALVIMERENKULKU%20Pdf.pdf
Polaris was floated out from the dry dock today:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2388399
Here’s also a video clip of the float-out:
Handsome beast 🙂
The Swedes are also looking for a low-emission icebreaker. Like the new Finnish one, it’ll likely be dual fuel:
http://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2016/01/08/sweden-prioritizes-lower-emissions-for-new-icebreakers/
Polaris has left for sea trials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi-ct691IQo