Protacon, a company based in Finland, has closed a contract with Viking Supply Ships to modernize a Swedish icebreaker Ymer. Last year Protacon modernized the Finnish icebreaker flagship, Urho. The deal provides a stronger foothold as a supplier of high power electrical drives to Protacon, currently experiencing a vigorous growth.

The modernization project comprises the DC drives of Ymer’s propulsion machinery and the related control units as well as other control equipment in the navigation bridge and the engine room. The modernization will significantly extend the service life of the ship, which was originally launched into sea in 1976.

“Together with the highly successful Urho project, Ymer’s 16.2 MW DC electrical drives provide strong evidence of Protacon’s knowhow of large electric drives. Marine conditions make the project even more challenging,” tells Protacon’s director of development Kari Pellinen.

“While the experience gathered with the sister ship Urho is a significant benefit in the modernization, the two ships are so different that we cannot talk about a routine job. Projects in ships of this size and power class are always demanding,”tells Marko Loisa, Protacon’s project manager, responsible for the modernization of both ships.

The modernization starts immediately and the sea trial aboard the ship will be conducted in October 2013. An option included in the contract is a similar modernization of Frej, Ymer’s and Urho’s sister ship.

World-class supplier of large icebreaker propulsion systems With the Ymer contract, Protacon will be positioned among major suppliers of large icebreaker propulsion machinery systems. Protacon has grown very strongly in recent years and is now the leading company in industrial testing and automation systems in Finland. Protacon is one of the largest Finnish companies in its field in terms of turnover and personnel employing today approximately 220 persons. The company’s turnover is over € 15 million.