Baltika is a humongous icebreaker ship that is novel in that is able to travel sideways while clearing ice. Built by Finland's Arctech Helsinki Shipyard for the Russian Federal Agency of Sea and River Transport, the Baltika can temporarily increase its frontal area by moving sideways, allowing it to clear larger amounts of ice.
When traveling through open water, the Baltika moves forward like a regular ship. On approaching ice however, the ship can be pivoted to move forward at an angle of up to 30 degrees. This is made possible by three propulsors on the bottom of the ship, each of which can rotate 360 degrees.
This novel technology allows the ship to clear a 50-meter wide channel of ice even though its own width is just 20.5 meters. It can break through ice up to 600 cm thick when moving sideways or 1 meter thick when moving forwards.
Sideways Ice-Breaking Ships
The Baltika Icebreaker Can Move Sideways While Clearing Ice
Trend Themes
1. Sideways Ice-breaking Technology - Opportunity for developing novel ice-breaking ships that can move sideways to clear larger amounts of ice.
2. 360-degree Propulsor Rotation - Opportunity for integrating propulsors that can rotate 360 degrees to enhance maneuverability and ice-breaking capabilities of ships.
3. Efficient Ice Clearing Techniques - Opportunity to explore innovative techniques to efficiently clear wider channels of ice using advanced ship designs.
Industry Implications
1. Maritime Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunities in developing advanced icebreaking ships for efficient navigation in icy waters.
2. Shipbuilding Industry - Opportunity to revolutionize ship designs by incorporating sideways ice-breaking technology and 360-degree propulsor rotation.
3. Transportation Industry - Opportunity for innovation in icebreaking techniques to improve winter navigation and ensure safe transportation in icy regions.