ICEBREAKERS

Together with STX Offshore & Shipbuilding STXM has been involved in the design and construction of almost 90% of the world’s icebreakers and the ideas and patents produced have driven icebreaker technology over the last 50 years. Two distinct propulsion designs are typical of icebreakers today, namely

STXM has experience with propulsion plants of both types ranging from 2MW in small river icebreakers up to 60MW in the larger vessels constructed for the former Soviet Union. This broad range of vessels operates anywhere from the high Arctic and Antarctic to the Baltic Sea and remote lakes in Northern latitudes.

Other innovations that STXM has helped develop include air bubbler systems, double acting reamers and water lubrication systems. Each of these features are interchangeable with the basic design philosophy depending on the client's requirements. Other innovations include ice clearing wedges and system design engineering for operation in low temperature environments.

In May 2008, STX Canada Marine Inc. (STXM) and BMT Fleet Technology Limited (BMT Fleet) were awarded the contract for the Definition, Engineering, Logistics and Management Support (DELMS) contract for the Canadian Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) project.

The AOPS is 98 m long and is capable of speeds of over 17 knots in open water and 3 knots ice breaking in 1 m of level ice. The ship was designed to have good seakeeping performance in addition to good icebreaking performance so that the ship can be utilized for patrolling all three of Canada’s coastlines. STXM and BMT Fleet are currently assisting the DND Project Management Office in the development of the System Requirements Document (SRD) and RFP. which are both expected to be released to industry for proposals in the spring of 2010.

Also double acting vessel concept that primarily breaks ice going astern has been designed and constructed for operation in Arctic regions. Using this philosophy, the vessel exhibits good icebreaking capability going astern and improved sea-keeping characteristics moving ahead in open water, typically the Achilles heel of icebreakers.This ice-breaking vessel of a new type is based on the double-acting concept for icebreakers. This concept makes the combined icebreaker, offshore supply and standby vessel for Far Eastern Shipping Company (FESCO) truly one of the most sophisticated and versatile ships ever built for arctic operations.

The ice strengthened vessel database is not restricted to icebreakers alone. The range of vessel types strengthened for operation in ice includes:

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