MT Mastera
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The MT Mastera and its sister ship the MT Tempera are icebreakers known as double acting tankers. They use Azipod azimuth thruster technology. The MT Mastera was finished in 2002.
While icebreaking tankers are not new, all icebreaking ships have to compromise their open water performance. The shape that allows icebreakers to break ice is not fuel efficient and does not handle well in waves. Most cargo vessels will avoid navigating through ice when possible; the MT Tempera and Mastera are no different.
These "double acting" vessels have resolved the traditional design compromise of icebreakers: they travel forward using a conventional bulbed bow in open water for maximum efficiency, but in ice conditions these vessels navigate backwards using their stern, which is shaped like an icebreaker's bow. It is the Azipod's ability to completely reverse the direction of thrust by 180° which enables them to do this easily.
Built in Japan by Sumitomo Heavy Industries at the Yokosuka Ship Yards. The vessels are in use by the Fortum Shipping Company in Finland.
