Steerprop wins thruster contract for Swedish icebreaker

Rauma-based thruster specialist Steerprop will supply propulsion units for a new icebreaker being built in South Korea for the Swedish Maritime Administration, Yle reports.

The vessel is being built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Steerprop said the agreement marks a significant milestone because it is the company’s first project with both the Swedish Maritime Administration and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The icebreaker will be equipped with two Steerprop thruster units featuring counter-rotating propellers, along with one pulling thruster. The system was selected for its ability to create wider channels in thick ice.

“Every vessel has challenges related to its operating environment. Our task is to understand these requirements and design a thruster solution that provides the best possible performance,” Steerprop Sales Director Juho Rekola said in a company release.

The new icebreaker will be 126 metres long and built to meet Polar Class 4 ice-class requirements. Steerprop’s thruster deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of 2028. The value of the contract was not disclosed.