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.
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.
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.
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.
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