2013 SNAME SUOMI COLLEGIUM
Aker Arctic Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
Thursday November 21, 2013
Taking the opportunity of a visit to Finland by Petr Noble (myself), Finnish SNAME members and friends gathered to attend the 2013 SNAME Suomi Collegium at Aker Arctic Research Center in Helsinki Finland on the evening of Thursday, November 21. Finland is a leader in a number of specialized marine areas such as ice navigation, electric propulsion, marine diesel prime movers etc. and SNAME has a number of long term members in the country.
An interesting technical program was arranged under the leadership of Goran Wilkman, who was recently elected the first Finnish Fellow of SNAME. The program included presentations on the design, construction and operation of the first LNG powered trans-Baltic ferry the MV Viking Grace, which operates on the Stockholm – Turku route. The program also included a presentation on the Yamal LNG Project which is planning to export LNG by icebreaking carriers to both east and west along the Northern Sea Route and a presentation on the design of a new Polar Research Vessel for China.
The evening concluded with refreshments and a round table discussion in the sauna/business entertainment facilities which are an important part of all Finnish offices.
SNAME has a track record of organizing Collegia, which allow members who live and work in geographic areas which do not have a formal Section established, to come together on an occasional opportunistic basis to share technical developments, to engage in networking and to enjoy the fellowship of professional colleagues.