Stena Polaris Completes Northeast Passage

After 35 days at sea, the Stena Polaris has arrived at the port of Yousu in South Korea. She has sailed via the icy and harsh Northeast Passage along Russia’s northern coast. After arriving at her final destination, the ship was celebrated with representatives of the South Korean government, the corporate management of both Hyundai and the Stena Group and the port authorities attending.

The Stena Polaris began her voyage on September 17 in the port of Ust Luga in the Gulf of Finland with a cargo of 44,000 tons of naphtha. The voyage is a joint project between Stena Bulk and South Korean Hyundai Glovis, the shipping arm of the Hyundai Group.

Sailing via the North-East Passage offers the expansive Northern Asia opportunities to speed up the freight routes to and from the region. The voyage with the Stena Polaris is the first project where technology and operational know-how have been transferred from Stena to Hyundai Glovis. At the same time, it is the beginning of important collaboration. Stena’s objective is to expand in Asia together with good partners.

The Stena Polaris has been built to ice class 1 A specifications in accordance with Det Norske Veritas (DNV), which means that it is well equipped to sail in ice-covered waters where broken ice can be up to 0.8 m thick. In addition to an ice-strengthened hull her rudder and propellers are technically adapted for operation in icy waters and her main engines have been modified to deliver greater power.

The P-MAX tankers were designed and built by Stena and Concordia Maritime. They have a double hull, optimum corrosion control, two engine rooms with full water and fire integrity and two propulsion systems. Double propellers and rudders and a specially designed bridge layout give the tanker extremely good maneuverability and a 360° view, which facilitate safe navigation in narrow waters.

The Stena Polaris, which is owned by Concordia Maritime and has been time-chartered by Stena Bulk for this project, has the following technical data: Length: 183 m, beam: 40 m, draft: 11.3 m, deadweight: 65,000 tons.

stenabulk.com