Modernization for Two Swedish Icebreakers

Protacon, a company based in Jyväskylä, Finland, informs it has received an order from Swedish Maritime Administration for the modernization of electric and automation systems of two icebreakers. The contract entrusts Protacon with the modernization of electric propulsion drives and drive control systems for the Swedish icebreakers, Atle and Frej.

 

The Swedish Maritime Administration wants to uniform the techniques of its icebreakers to facilitate their usability and maintenance, Protacon said. The modernization will naturally also improve the reliability of operation and increase the service lives of the ships. Now approximately 40 years old, Atle and Frej will gain a remarkably longer lifespan. 

 

Protacon has previously delivered similar modernizations for the Finnish icebreaker Urho and the Swedish Ymer, for example.

 

“It is a pleasure to see that the customer trusts in our knowhow and we are very proud of being entrusted with the modernization of these ships. The digitalization of the control system of the old DC drive is a cost-efficient solution. At the same time, the automation systems of the ships will be upgraded to modern PLC technology,” said Protacon's project manager Marko Loisa, who is responsible for the modernization project. 

 

The deal is the fourth of the kind for Protacon. It is a natural continuum to the previous successful projects, which even exceeded expectations and made the customer extremely satisfied with the full service provided by Protacon. The deal also includes a maintenance and helpdesk agreement comprising performance assurance and annual maintenance of the systems. 

 

“At the global level, there are still many icebreakers of the same technology requiring modernization. Protacon's expertise in renewing both automation systems and electric drives has strengthened during the years and we see great potential for other similar projects,” said Protacon's managing director Kari Pellinen.