Picture: Lamor oil skimmers are well suited for demanding Arctic conditions.

F. Laeisz shipping company has ordered a complete oil spill response system from Lamor for their research icebreaker Polarstern. The system includes an arctic skimmer with heat generator, heavy-duty booms, pumps, oil transfer hoses, hydraulic power pack, tailored to fit in two 10-foot containers. The system will be delivered later this year.

RV Polarstern (meaning pole star) is a German research icebreaker, operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), technical managed by the german shipping company F. Laeisz G.m.b.H., mainly used for research in the Arctic and Antarctica. The new system will replace the vessel’s old oil spill response equipment. During its explorations in remote arctic regions, Polarstern needs its own oil spill response capability to ensure that the sensitive nature remains unaffected by potential oil spills.

“With the opening of the Northern Passage, all vessels – icebreakers, research, passenger and freight vessels – need to carry aboard solid capabilities to respond to any environmental incident to protect these sensitive areas of the harmful effects of oil spills. In Finland, we have a long tradition in building the world’s best icebreakers – but also, the best arctic oil spill response systems. To this day, Lamor has delivered over 80% of the global arctic systems”, emphasises Lamor CEO Johan Grön.

”We are happy to support Polarstern in keeping the sea clean”, says Timo Pylkkä, Sales Manager at Lamor. “At Lamor, we have decades of experience in innovation and know-how of oil spill response technology and prevention. Our equipment has proven reliable in some of the world’s harshest environments and helps to protect sensitive sea areas and coasts from the negative effects of potential oil spill.”

Lamor Multimax LAM 50 is a brush chain-type free-floating oil skimmer designed to recover oil in fast flowing rivers, oil ponds, harbours or as an advancing side sweep skimmer. “We are equipping it with heating systems for arctic conditions instead of using a specific arctic skimmer that would not fit in the space available”, explains Pylkkä.

The LAM 50 skimmer with its standard heated scraper and hopper makes it an effective skimming unit in Arctic conditions. The skimmer has been deployed effectively in several oil recovery operations worldwide. Skimmer’s double rotation direction capability enhances the recovery of light to heavy viscous oils.

The value of the order is under half a million euros, and it has been entered into Lamor’s order backlog in the second quarter of 2025.

Research Vessel and Icebreaker Polarstern - AWI https://www.awi.de/en/fleet-stations/research-vessel-and-cutter/polarstern.html

Further information

Timo Pylkkä, Sales Manager, Lamor Northern Europe
tel. +358 400 697 755, timo.pylkka@lamor.com

Johan Grön, CEO, Lamor Corporation Plc
tel. +358 40 5464186, johan.gron@lamor.com