Kvaerner Builds Diesel- Electric Icebreaker, Renovates Russian Vessel

Kvaerner Masa-Yards' Helsinki New Shipyard has received an order for a river icebreaker for the Austrian Osterreichische Donaukraftwerke AG. The vessel, to be delivered in spring 1995, will operate in assisting river traffic and break ice formations at the power stations in the Danube river.

The new icebreaker has a shallow draft (only 6.5 feet). In spite of this, the vessel can break more than twofoot- thick level ice in continuous mode of operation. This is the result of extensive development work, done at Kvaerner Masa-Yards Arctic Research Center. The vessel will be equipped with two azimuthing electric propulsion drives. The new "Azipod" propulsion system has been jointly developed by Kvaerner Masa- Yards and ABB Industry in Finland. The ice trails of the vessel will be made in the Baltic in winter 1995. The icebreaker is about 139 feet long with a breadth of 33 feet. The contract is worth about $4.3 million. Kvaerner Masa-Yards has also signed a contract with A/O Rechflot for the modernization of a tourist and charter vessel, owned by the Moscow River Shipping Company. The contract is worth nearly $5 million. The vessel to be modernized is the nearly 20-year old riverpassenger vessel M/S Rossiya. The vessel has already arrived at the company's Turku New Shipyard, where the conversion will take place. The contract covers the refurbishment of the entire interior spaces. The luxury cabins, saunas and pantry will be replaced. The work will be completed during the spring of 1994. The M/S Rossiya is 274 feet long, with a breadth of 42 feet and draft of eight feet. She is able to travel at 15 knots.