Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency selects local firm to design new icebreaker

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has chosen Helsinki-based engineering firm Aker Arctic to design a new icebreaker for operation in the Baltic Sea as part of a winter navigation project co-financed by the European Union.

In addition to initial design, various technical evaluations and concept comparison, the work will include model tests and development of the final concept design package.

Ensuring year-round access to Finnish ports requires maintaining sufficient icebreaking capacity. For example, during the average ice winter of 2023–2024 the first Finnish icebreaker was deployed to the Bothnian Bay already in late November and by the end of January, the whole Finnish icebreaker fleet was in operation.

"Tightening energy efficiency requirements will reduce the independent ice-going capability of new commercial vessels and consequently increase the need for icebreaking services also during mild winters," said Mika Hovilainen, CEO of Aker Arctic.

"In addition to high operational icebreaking capability, the icebreaker design highlights the ability to operate in more dynamic and fragmented ice fields, as well as good seakeeping characteristics and low fuel consumption in open water transit."

The icebreaker could be deployed to the Bothnian Bay at the beginning of the icebreaking season when icebreaker assistance is required primarily by smaller commercial vessels. Later in the season, the new icebreaker could be relocated south to the Bothnian Sea or the Gulf of Finland as needed.

Aker Arctic said the development of the next-generation icebreaker design will begin immediately.

In addition to the initial technical evaluations and studies, the first phase will also include the comparison of three concept alternatives in terms of performance and costs for acquisition, service, and maintenance over the lifetime of the vessel.

The performance of at least two concepts will be evaluated with model tests. The final concept design package will be completed in early 2026.