Gasum bunkers Finland’s LNG-fueled icebreaker in Pori and Tornio

Finish energy company Gasum said it has supplied liquefied natural gas fuel to Arctia’s Polaris, the world’s first LNG-fueled icebreaker at its two facilities in January and February.

Polaris bunkered LNG in January from the Pori LNG import terminal and in February from the Manga LNG terminal located in the Röyttä Harbor in Tornio, Finland.

The commercial use of the Tornio import terminal begins this year, Gasum said in a statement on Thursday.

The gas and fuel market of Northern Finland will diversify as the commercial use of the Tornio import terminal begins this year, the company said.

Access to LNG is an important competitiveness factor for current industrial operators in the area as well as for the Port of Tornio. The terminal is intended to meet industrial as well as land and maritime transport needs.

“LNG is excellently suited for use as a marine fuel as it’s a great alternative to oil, and being environmentally friendly is one of its strengths. We’ve already supplied LNG for northern ports such as Luleå, Sweden, and Kemi and Oulu, Finland. Polaris is the first vessel bunkered in Tornio,” said Tommy Mattila, sales and marketing director, natural gas and LNG, Gasum.

He added that the start of the commercial use of the Tornio Manga LNG terminal strengthens Gasum’s LNG supply chain in Northern Finland and Sweden for industry and maritime transport.

Gasum has an LNG production plant and terminal in Risavika, Norway, LNG terminals in Øra, Norway, Lysekil, Sweden and Pori, Finland.

The company is a joint-venturer in the Tornio Manga LNG terminal with Outokumpu, SSAB Europe and EPV Energy.