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Hailuoto Causeway
The plan is to build a causeway between Riutunkari in Oulu and Huikku on Hailuoto Island. The causeway will replace the current ferry service. The causeway will be approximately 8.4 kilometres long, and it will consist of a road running on top of an embankment and long bridges in Huikku and Riutunkari.
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Luumäki-Imatra railway project
A double-track railway is being built on the line Joutseno–Imatra, replacing the current single-track railway. The current track on the line Luumäki–Joutseno is also being improved. The project also comprises renovations to reduce the maintenance backlog on the Saimaa Canal Railway Bridge, the Mansikkakoski Railway Bridge and the underpass on the old Main Road 6.
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Development projects for border crossing points
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency acts as a coordinator in six infrastructure development projects at the border crossing points of Raja-Jooseppi, Vartius, Parikkala, Imatra, Vainikkala and Vaalimaa funded jointly by the European Union and Finland. The projects will be implemented between 2019 and 2022.
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Back New agreements for the upcoming icebreaking season

New agreements for the upcoming icebreaking season

Published 17.11.2025 8.31

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and Arctia Ltd have made a three-year agreement on icebreaking for the coming winters. As the commissioner of icebreaking, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is responsible for the coordination of winter navigation services and operations, official duties and steering, and Arctia operates the icebreakers. 

The Finnish harbours freeze over every winter, and, depending on the extent of the ice cover and the challenges posed by the ice winter, vessels moving among the ice are assisted approximately 300 to 3,000 times a winter. Typically, the icebreaking season begins before the turn of the year, and the peak season takes place in February. 

 

“In accordance with the agreements, we have eight Arctia icebreakers at our disposal, and they can be deployed as necessary as the winter progresses and the ice cover grows,” says Helena Orädd, head of unit. “Our service promise is that 90% of the vessels can enter the harbour without waiting and those waiting will receive icebreaker assistance in less than 4 hours. In addition to the fairways leading to harbours, we also assist in the open sea. In accordance with the treaty with Sweden, we also assist ships to Swedish ports.” 

The new agreement brings efficiency and customer orientation. “Customers have been satisfied with icebreaking services, but there is also room for improvement. The importance of cooperation and sharing information is emphasised when there are several actors and customers. The new agreement will enable a more flexible departure order for icebreakers, and this will also create efficiency for the entire service package,” says Orädd.

Winter navigation assistance is free of charge for merchant vessels and is granted to vessels heading to predefined winter ports. The vessels to be assisted must meet the assistance restrictions specified by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, regarding the ice class and load-bearing capacity, for example. In addition to Arctia, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has an agreement with Alfons Håkans and tugboat companies operating on the coast. The icebreaking agreement package for three years is worth EUR 300 million.

Inquiries:
Head of Unit, Maritime Navigation, Helena Orädd tel. +358 29 534 3321, [email protected]