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Finland Awards €160 Million Icebreaking Services Contract to Arctia Icebreaking Oy

By Admin | Posted on 22 Oct 2025


Finland Awards €160 Million Icebreaking Services Contract to Arctia Icebreaking Oy

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 Winter

For 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 Company

With 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 Significance

The €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 Ahead

As 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

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