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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The centrepiece of the new construction project for the Polarstern's successor is now taking shape: by the end of August, TKMS, Wärtsilä, Steerprop and Aker Arctic had inked the contracts for the entire propulsion unit: rudder propellers, engines and exhaust gas aftertreatment system. Many of the components are genuine market innovations with which the Alfred Wegener Institute and TKMS are setting new standards in research navigation.
The bridge is the head of a ship and the engine is its heart – as many sailors like to say. The heart of the new Polarstern is now taking shape: the TKMS naval shipbuilding company has signed contracts with three suppliers for the propulsion system of the Alfred Wegener Institute's new icebreaker. And these are certainly not "off-the-shelf" components. The innovative, leading-edge technology enables particularly low-noise and low-emission research on the high sea and in the polar regions.
The new Polarstern, financed by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), will be equipped with two azimuth propulsion systems, often referred to as rotating propeller nacelles, from the Finnish company Steerprop. Built for ice class PC2, the vessel is powered by two SP 160 PULL ARC LM azimuth propellers, the largest mechanical units of their kind ever built, each delivering 9 megawatts of power by way of a propeller with a diameter of 4.8 metres. They represent a further development of Steerprop's proven mechanical propulsion platform, which finds widespread use in the global icebreaker fleet. As they are capable of rotating 360 degrees, the propeller nacelles can also assist in manoeuvring. A classic fixed centreline propeller and shaftline system from Finnish manufacturer Aker Arctic featuring a five-bladed fixed pitch stainless steel propeller with a diameter of 5.4 metres rounds out the propulsion package.
Both propulsion types are powered by a veritable powerhouse: four Wärtsilä main engines generate 33.1 megawatts of diesel-electric power. Two of the engines will be dual-fuel capable, meaning that - in addition to diesel - they can also run on green methanol. This integrated hybrid electric propulsion system is based on four powerful Wärtsilä W31 engines, combining maximum efficiency with the most advanced, leading edge environmental technology. The generator sets are low-noise, while the exhaust gas after-treatment technologies meet the most stringent emission standards. The new Polarstern will also be equipped with an energy storage system: a battery system will enable the ship to operate for up to four hours without running generators, enabling the entire research work to be carried out emission-free.
The exhaust gas emitted during the voyage will be filtered by the most advanced, leading edge technology so as to ensure that as few particles as possible are released into the environment. The new Polarstern is the first customer for exhaust gas filters of this size and the ship will also be equipped with a catalytic converter for exhaust gas aftertreatment. In addition, the propulsion system is designed to meet the particularly strict acoustic requirements of the ICES 209 guideline, which pays special attention to the acoustic impact of seafaring on the underwater world, thereby protecting marine life from noise.
Comments on the awarding of the contracts for the propulsion unit:
Prof Dr Maarten Boersma, Acting Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI):
“We are delighted that the order for the propulsion unit, which marks the first key milestone on the way to the new Polarstern, has now been placed. I am particularly fascinated by the long-term coordination of all production stages. Although it will take until April 2027 before the first welds are actually made on the ship, the construction of the innovative machinery must naturally proceed in parallel. It's great that the new construction project and the cooperation between AWI, TKMS and the suppliers are running according to schedule.”
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of TKMS, the shipyard building the new Polarstern:
“With the selection of the complex propulsion system for the new Polarstern, we are ensuring that we meet the exacting customer requirements for reliability, environmental protection and sustainability. With the signing of these contracts, we have reached the first project milestone on schedule, underlining our position as a maritime powerhouse.”
Detlef Wilde, AWI project manager:
“The fact that we now have contracts concluded with manufacturers for the entire propulsion concept, including exhaust gas treatment, represents a great milestone. I can already picture our 'powerhouse' venturing into polar regions to collect data where less innovative ships cannot operate. It is terrific that we, as the Alfred Wegener Institute - and thanks to funding from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space -will be providing the international research community with an icebreaker that will close important gaps in our understanding of planet earth.”
Yngvar Frodell, TKMS project manager:
“Nothing about this project is standard and off the shelf – all the parts and components are custom-made. The highest standards that the Alfred Wegener Institute expects in terms of sustainability are an exciting challenge for me as an engineer and one that I am delighted to tackle with our team. I am very proud that we are pushing the boundaries towards more sustainable naval engineering and shipping - and are accomplishing this with the successor to the Polarstern.”
About the Polarstern newbuilding project
The new Polarstern will rank as the flagship of German marine, polar and climate research. The newly constructed vessel is being financed by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), enabling the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, to award the contract for the newbuilding project to the TKMS shipyard in December 2024. The ice-breaking research and supply vessel will be constructed at the Wismar location and will succeed the current Polarstern, which has been spearheading groundbreaking research in the Arctic and Antarctic for over 40 years. In this way, Germany will continue to benefit from one of the most modern and sustainable infrastructures for researching the polar regions - at the highest scientific and technological levels.
Detlef Wilde
+49 471 4831 1281
detlef.wilde@awi.de
https://www.awi.de/en/about-us/service/press.html
3D view of the planned new construction of the Alfred Wegener Institute's icebreaking research and s ...
Source: AWI / TKMS
Copyright: Alfred Wegener Institute / TKMS
azimuth propulsion system
Source: Steerprop
Copyright: Alfred Wegener Institute / Steerprop
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3D view of the planned new construction of the Alfred Wegener Institute's icebreaking research and s ...
Source: AWI / TKMS
Copyright: Alfred Wegener Institute / TKMS
azimuth propulsion system
Source: Steerprop
Copyright: Alfred Wegener Institute / Steerprop
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