A major deal again: Protacon to modernise two Swedish icebreakers
Protacon, a company based in Jyväskylä, Finland, has received a major order for the modernisation of electric and automation systems of two icebreakers. Protacon has been entrusted with the modernisation of electric propulsion drives and drive control systems for the Swedish icebreakers, Atle and Frej. The customer is the Swedish Maritime Administration. With the deal, Protacon will remarkably strengthen its foothold as a full-service supplier of high power electric drives.
The Swedish Maritime Administration wants to uniform the techniques of its icebreakers to facilitate their usability and maintenance. The modernisation will naturally also improve the reliability of operation and increase the service lives of the ships. Now approximately 40 years old, Atle and Frej will gain a remarkably longer lifespan.
Protacon has previously delivered similar modernisations for the Finnish icebreaker Urho and the Swedish Ymer, for example. With this new contract, the company will rise to an important position in the area of modernisation of electric drives and automation systems.
“It is a pleasure to see that the customer trusts in our knowhow and we are very proud of being entrusted with the modernisation of these ships. The digitalisation of the control system of the old DC drive is a cost-efficient solution. At the same time, the automation systems of the ships will be upgraded to modern PLC technology”, says Protacon's project manager Marko Loisa, who is responsible for the modernisation project.
The deal is the fourth of the kind for Protacon. It is a natural continuum to the previous successful projects, which even exceeded expectations and made the customer extremely satisfied with the full service provided by Protacon. The deal also includes a maintenance and helpdesk agreement comprising performance assurance and annual maintenance of the systems.
“At the global level, there are still many icebreakers of the same technology requiring modernisation. Protacon's expertise in renewing both automation systems and electric drives has strengthened during the years and we see great potential for other similar projects”, says Protacon's managing director Kari Pellinen.
Protacon Ltd. is a part of Protacon Group.
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Further information:
Kari Pellinen, Managing Director, Protacon Ltd.
Tel. + 358 50 402 8470, Email: kari.pellinen@protacon.com
Marko Loisa, Product Manager, Protacon Ltd.
Tel. +358 10 3472 649, Email: marko.loisa@protacon.com
Protacon is a high-tech engineering and service company providing solutions for project management, production and maintenance. Protacon's service portfolio includes quality assurance and testing systems, software solutions and technological turnkey deliveries. In 2014, the turnover of the corporate group amounted to EUR 16.5 million and the group employs approximately 220 people. Protacon Group's headquarters are located in Jyväskylä, Finland and it has offices in eight locations in Finland, as well as one in Jiangyin, China. Protacon's customers include Valmet Technologies, Inc., Andritz, Raute Corporation, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Vapo, Swedish Maritime Administration, Fortum Power & Heat, National Board of Forestry, National Board of Education, Viking Supply Ships A/S, Koenig & Bauer Group (KBA), K1-Katsastajat, Valtra Inc., Valueframe, and Cargotec Finland.