Finland Awards €160 Million Icebreaking Services Contract to Arctia Icebreaking Oy
22 Oct 2025
Helsinki, October 2025 -Arctia Icebreaking Oy, Finland's state-owned maritime service provider, has been given a significant €160 million contract by the Finnish Transport Agency (Väylävirasto) for icebreaking services with Class A icebreakers. For the upcoming seasons, the agreement guarantees the continuation of Finland's vital winter navigation operations over the maritime area of Åland, the Gulf of Bothnia, and other Finnish maritime areas.The procurement, which was published in the EU's Official Journal (OJ S 197/2025), includes seven Class A icebreakers that were chosen through an open process and subject to Directive 2014/24/EU. With options to extend the deal for up to three more years, the new accords are scheduled to go into effect on October 1, 2025, and terminate on June 15, 2028.Protecting Finland's Maritime Lifeline in the WinterFor Finland, where almost 90% of imports and exports depend on maritime commerce, icebreaking is essential. Maintaining passable shipping lanes is crucial for both national logistics and the resilience of regional trade, as the harsh Arctic winters frequently freeze coastal waterways. Arctia Icebreaking Oy will supply seven fully outfitted Class A icebreakers to support winter operations across Finland's territorial seas as part of the new agreement. To ensure complete coverage of Finland's busiest winter navigation months, the readiness periods will vary according to seasonal needs, ranging from mid-December to mid-April.Different operational readiness schedules are specified in the contract: 168 days, from December 15 to May 31, for two icebreakers 137 days, from December 15 to April 30, for two icebreakers 105 days, from January 1 to April 15, for two icebreakers 91 days, from January 15 to April 15, for one icebreaker Price was the only award criterion (100%), and daily standby and operational rates were auctioned for each period.Arctia Icebreaking Oy: Finland's Reliable Shipping CompanyWith its main office in Helsinki, Arctia Icebreaking Oy is a sizable state-owned business that specialises in marine logistics and icebreaking. The organisation, which is part of the larger Arctia Group, has decades of experience in Arctic marine services, offshore operations, and environmental response. It also oversees Finland's national icebreaker fleet. A number of well-known icebreakers, including Otso, Kontio, Polaris, and Voima, are part of the company's fleet and are essential to the year-round operation of Finland's ports. This new agreement strengthens Arctia's standing as a key ally of the Finnish government in preserving trade stability and sea accessibility throughout the protracted Finnish winter.Economic and Strategic SignificanceThe €160 million investment underscores Finland’s commitment to sustainable and secure winter navigation, aligning with its intergovernmental agreement with Sweden to maintain a joint fleet of at least four A-class and one B-class icebreakers.By ensuring uninterrupted shipping routes, the agreement supports export industries, energy logistics, and regional economies that depend on consistent maritime access. It also contributes to broader Baltic Sea safety and resilience goals, particularly amid changing climate conditions that can unpredictably affect ice coverage.Contract Specifics and Supervision Purchaser: Väylävirasto, a Finnish transport agency Arctia Icebreaking Oy was the winner. Duration of Contract: October 1, 2025, to June 15, 2028 Value Estimate: €160,000,000 (VAT excluded) Type of Procedure: Open Criteria for Award: Price (100%) Awarded Lots: LOT-0001 through LOT-0007 On September 2, 2025, the contracts were finalised, and the Market Court of Finland oversaw any post-notification reviews.A Look AheadAs the world turns its focus to climate-adaptive infrastructure and Arctic logistics, Finland's most recent procurement establishes a standard for effective, long-term maritime service planning. As one of the most dependable winter navigation countries in the world, Finland continues to protect its winter trade routes under the leadership of Arctia Icebreaking Oy. According to the new contracts, deliveries and operational deployment should start before the 2025-2026 icebreaking season, guaranteeing the uninterrupted use of Finland's vital sea lanes.Tags#Finland, # Finnish Transport Agency, # public procurement # Arctia Icebreaking Oy, # Finland tenders, #icebreaking services, # winter navigation, # Baltic Sea, # Gulf of Bothnia, # Sea of Åland, #maritimelogistics, # publish tenders, #governmentcontracts, #awarded tenders, #procurement news, #contract award, # EU procurement, # Arctic operations, 3Väylävirasto, # tender results
Read More
Suomen Lauttaliikenne Oy Wins €234.8 Million Finnish Ferry Transport Contract Covering Lake Finland Region (2026 – 2046)
10 Oct 2025
Turku, Finland - The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Southwest Finland (ELY-Centre) has awarded a €234.78 million, 20-year ferry transport service contract to Suomen Lauttaliikenne Oy (Finferries) for the Lake Finland (Järvi-Suomi) region. The agreement, published under OJ S 192/2025 – Notice 656711-2025, ensures continuous and environmentally responsible ferry operations across key inland routes from 2026 to 2046.A long-term commitment to regional connectivityUnder the contract identified as VARELY/440/2024, Finferries will deliver year-round ferry transport services at multiple strategic crossings across the Lake Finland area, including Hanhivirta, Hirvisalmi, Hätinvirta, Kietävälä, Koivukanta, Kyläniemi, Tappuvirta, Kortesalmi, Kuparonvirta, Lamposaari, Rongonsalmi, and Puutossalmi.The scope covers procurement and operation of ferries, daily navigation and customer service, and the maintenance of state-owned ferry terminals. The selected operator will be responsible for ensuring uninterrupted service delivery and compliance with quality standards throughout the 20-year contract term.According to the ELY-Centre, the project is designed to maintain critical transport links for residents, businesses, and visitors within the region’s island and lake communities, thereby supporting Finland’s internal mobility and economic sustainability goals.Environmentally responsible ferry operationsA key feature of the procurement was its emphasis on sustainability and circular-economy practices. The tender required bidders to demonstrate plans to reduce environmental impact, promote energy-efficient vessels, and support the transition toward low-emission and hybrid ferry technologies over the contract period.Additionally, the ELY-Centre integrated social responsibility goals, including commitments to fair working conditions and local employment standards-factors consistent with Finland’s public procurement principles.Award evaluation was based on a 70 percent weighting for price and 30 percent for quality, encouraging both cost-effectiveness and operational excellence.Contract details and outcomeThe open procedure attracted two competompetitive tenders, with Finferries ultimately selected as the most economically advantageous bidder. The total contract value amounts to €234.78 million, within an overall framework worth €243.78 million, to be fully managed and funded by the Finnish government without EU financing.The contract was formally signed on 6 October 2025, following an award decision made on 14 October 2024 and subsequent legal clearance by the Market Court (Markkinaoikeus).Finferries, headquartered in Turku, is Finland’s national ferry operator, recognized for integrating digital navigation systems, autonomous ferry trials, and eco-friendly fleet upgrades. Its long-term management of inland and coastal ferry services underlines Finland’s strategy to maintain safe, reliable, and sustainable transport infrastructure across dispersed archipelagos and lake regions.Strengthening sustainable mobility in FinlandThis landmark 20-year agreement reflects Finland’s continued investment in sustainable public transport solutions and regional accessibility. By securing the expertise of Finferries, the ELY-Centre reinforces the government’s commitment to combining technological innovation, climate goals, and public-service reliability in national ferry operations.As Finland transitions toward carbon-neutral transport, the Lake Finland ferry network will serve as a model for green mobility, balancing cost efficiency with long-term environmental responsibility.Tags: Finland, Suomen Lauttaliikenne Oy, Finferries, Varsinais-Suomen ELY-keskus, ferry transport services, Järvi-Suomi, inland waterways, sustainable transport, public procurement, contract award, maritime mobility, green shipping, circular economy, low-emission ferries, transport infrastructure, regional connectivity, government tenders, OJ S 192/2025, Finnish transport sector, EU GPA contracts
Read More