Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency to kick start the concept design for an icebreaker
Published 15.4.2025 11.42
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will initiate the concept design of a B+ size icebreaker. Aker Arctic Technology Oy will be responsible for the concept’s design. Based on the concept, the construction of the ice breaker can be tendered. The FTIA has applied for EU support for the potential construction, and decisions on this are expected in summer 2025.
The aim is for the new icebreaker’s life cycle to exceed 50 years. The ability to adapt to the changing operating environment will be ensured with careful planning and the comparison of different concepts with model tests. “It is important for Finland that the future icebreaker will serve Finnish business life for as long as possible, that it is cost-effective to use and its technology is more environmentally friendly,” says Virpi Anttila, Director of Division.
Icebreaking still necessary in the future
The B+ icebreaker currently under design is between a heavy Ice Class A icebreaker and a medium-sized Ice Class B icebreaker. B+ will respond agilely to the changing winter conditions in Finland at sea and the growing need for assistance for merchant ships in the future.
“The ice winters of the future at sea will continue to be challenging, and possibly even more challenging than today, as the wind will press ice masses together and the conditions in the ice field will vary. The B+ icebreaker could operate in the Bay of Bothnia in early winter and then move on to assist merchant vessels heading to the ports of Southern Finland,” Anttila says.
Close international cooperation
Finland engages in close cooperation with Sweden and Estonia in the icebreaking sector, and the future vessel will complement the existing icebreaking capacity.
The WINMOS III project jointly carried out by Finland, Sweden and Estonia receives support from the EU’s CEF funding instrument, which also covers 50% of the icebreaker’s design procurement. The design concept will serve the needs of all countries for new, updated icebreaking equipment, facilitate both joint procurements and an option to also build icebreakers for Sweden and Estonia in accordance with the same concept.
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency made a procurement decision on the concept plan at the end of 2024, but the decision was appealed to the Market Court. The Market Court rejected the appeal and the design of the concept can begin immediately. The concept will be completed in early 2026. Competitive tendering and construction of shipyards will be possible on the basis of this concept. The FTIA has applied for EU support for the potential construction and decisions on this are expected in summer 2025.
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is responsible for the public office duties and procurement associated with winter navigation as well as for the national coordination, development and control operations.
Enquiries:
Virpi Anttila, Division Director, tel. +358 29 534 3642