ICE BREAKING CARGO VESSEL SOON A REALITY

Destined for service in 1978, the 28,000 dwt bulk carrier MV "Arctic" is being built by Porter Weller Drydocks Ltd. of St. Catherines, Ontario to an estimated cost of $40 million. Contrary to ice-strengthened vessels the "Arctic" will be a pioneer in her own right. She will be the world's first heavy ice-breaking cargo vessel designed to operate in high Arctic waters independent of icebreakers. The vessel will serve as a prototype for large vessels expected to be needed for the movement of gas and oil out of the Arctic to south Canada to meet future energy requirements. It will also be used to determine more accurately the ice navigation regulations promulgated under the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Regulations. The ship is specifically designed to carry lead-zinc ore rather than iron ore. The ship is double-hulled to reduce the risk of pollution in the event of damage. An air-bubbling system to reduce friction as the ship passes through the ice will be used, together with a special steering nozzle round the controllable-pitch propeller to increase thrust at low speed. She will be able to maintain 3 knots through 2-foot thick ice. Cargoes will be loaded and unloaded by the vessel's own cranes. She has a cruising range of 13,500 nautical miles and fuel consumption at 10,800 BHP, loaded speed approximately 16 knots, will be about 38 tons per day. The "Arctic" is designed to operate 5 months out of the year, without icebreaker support. The vessel will be operated by consortium of Canadian companies, the Federal Commerce & Navigation (1974) Ltd., Canada Steamship Lines, both of Montreal, and Leitch Transport Ltd. of Toronto.

• Corporate Authors:

  Symcon Publishing Company

  Berth 84, Box 1800
  San Pedro, CA  United States  90733
• Publication Date: 1976-10

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 10
• Serial:
  • Marine Equipment News
  • Publisher: Symcon Publishing Company

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bulk carriers; Cargo ships; Dry bulk carriers; Icebreakers
• Old TRIS Terms: Ship descriptions (Dry bulkers)
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00142839
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Marine Equipment News
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 15 1976 12:00AM