What’s new in the world of icebreakers?
It’s time for a quick look at icebreaker news from around the world that you might have missed, and that I have not reported on elsewhere.
This is a reproduction of an article that first appeared on Sixty Degrees North. If you would like to read more posts by Peter Rybski, you can sign up for his blog here.
Europe:
Finland’s Icebreaker Acquisition Program Continues:
1. Court Dismisses Appeal of Concept Design Contract Award
Finland’s icebreaker program began moving forward again after a March decision from Finland’s Market Court. ILS and Vard had appealed the decision by Finland’s Transportation Infrastructure Agency to award the concept design contract to Aker Arctic.
On March 3rd, the court dismissed the appeal, clearing the way for Aker Arctic to sign the design contract.
The FTIA had excluded the ILS/Vard design because the design tender was determined to be “non-compliant with the invitation to tender due to lack of experience.” The tender required that the deck department designer have experience in at least two concept design projects, one of which was an assistance icebreaker designed specifically to escort and assist merchant ships in ice-covered waters and equipped with a towing winch, fairlead and stern notch.
The ILS/Vard designer did not have the experience required. However, they appealed the decision, arguing that this particular experience requirement was unnecessary and discriminatory.
The Market Court disagreed, dismissing the appeal and ordering ILS and Vard Marine to pay FTIA and Aker Arctic’s legal costs.
2. Aker Arctic Begins Design Work on Finland’s Next Icebreaker
New icebreaker to be designed for Finland– Aker Arctic Passion News
Following the Market Court decision, Aker Arctic began work designing a Class B+ icebreaker to replace Voima. Voima is the world’s oldest operating icebreaker, originally delivered in 1954 (but significantly updated in the 1970s).
Icebreaker Class
Finnish icebreakers are classified based on a three-tier system with Class A being the largest and most powerful, and Class C being more akin to a large ice-strengthened tug.
Finland currently operates seven Class A icebreakers and one Class B icebreaker, Voima. A Class B+ vessel would be capable of operating in the Bothnian Bay early in the icebreaking season, but could then locate to the Bothnian Sea or Gulf of Finland when the Class A icebreakers are needed in the Bothnian Bay.
Design Plan
Aker Arctic will develop at least two design packages for an intermediate-class icebreaker referred to as B+, a compact icebreaking vessel more capable than what the current requirements would call for in mid-tier icebreakers.
The B+ project will commence with an evaluation of three alternative fuels – liquefied biogas, methanol, and ammonia – for their technological maturity and feasibility in this project. Afterwards, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will select one as the basis for the development of the B+ icebreaker concepts.
Furthermore, three propulsion configurations will be compared. In addition to twin- and triple-azimuth alternatives, a novel idea of combining shaft lines in the stern and azimuthing propulsion in the bow will be considered. At least two variants will be evaluated with model tests to verify their performance and ensure their ability to adapt to the changing operating environment.
Similarities to icebreaker developed for Sweden
While the design process closely mirrors the recent development of the next generation icebreakers for the Swedish Maritime Administration, the Finnish icebreaker is smaller and intended for a slightly different operational profile.
Adherence to the tight schedule
The development of the three concept alternatives started in April 2025 and the final design packages are scheduled for delivery in early 2026. These can then be used for competitive tendering of the construction of the icebreaker.
3. Model Testing to Begin Soon
According to an X post by Aker Arctic earlier this week, model testing of the new design should begin soon:
4. Finland, Sweden and Estonia Awarded EU Funds for New Icebreakers
According to a Finnish government press release, Finland, Sweden and Estonia will receive continuing funding support for new icebreakers under the European Union’s Winter Navigation Motorways of the Sea (WINMOS) project’s work package four:
Finland will receive around EUR 42.22 million for a new Baltic Sea class B icebreaker under the WINMOS IV project. The vessel’s concept is currently being developed under the WINMOS III project, which also receives CEF [Connecting Europe Facility] funding. In total, EUR 80.78 million was awarded to the project, shared between Finland, Sweden and Estonia.
Finland’s new vessel will replace ageing icebreaking capacity. Procurement will begin in autumn 2025 with a market dialogue as part of a call for tenders for a shipyard. Construction is expected to start in early 2026, with the vessel entering service in autumn 2029. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will oversee the project.
Over EUR 90 million in EU funding awarded to Finnish transport projects including new icebreaker
5. The New Icebreaker has a Working Name: Aino
If the name sticks, this will mark the first Finnish icebreaker with a female name.
The name Aino comes from the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic, and is my youngest daughter’s middle name.
Estonian Icebreaker Update:
According to a recent Estonian news report, plans are continuing for Estonia’s new icebreaker.
Estonia’s new icebreaker will be equipped with undersea cable repair equipment, allowing it to quickly repair broken connections in the Gulf of Finland and elsewhere after a spate of damage by shadow fleet vessels.
The State Fleet needs a new icebreaker to replace the more than 60-year-old Tarmo.
As noted above, Estonia also received CEF funds through the WINMOS program. However, the funding was less than Estonia requested:
The multifunctional vessel will be partly purchased using funds from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which has allocated €33.6 million for the new ship.
But this is only a quarter of the estimated cost.
“We actually applied to that program for half the cost of the icebreaker. The total cost is planned to be about €122 million. We received a positive funding decision, but as it stands, this covers only a quarter of what was planned,” said State Fleet Director General Andres Laasma….
Whether the missing almost €90 million can be secured during state budget strategy negotiations will be decided in the fall.
Estonia plans to keep Tarmo in service until 2028, with the new vessel being completed in 2029.
Sweden Icebreaker Update:
According to a Swedish press report, Sweden will use its EU funds (mentioned above) to maintain their existing icebreaking fleet. This is important, as Sweden’s procurement of new icebreakers has been delayed:
This is a welcome announcement that allows our existing icebreakers to be able to hold their positions with much-needed renovations and upgrades. The support also gives our newly acquired used icebreaker Idun full capacity as a state icebreaker. At the same time, the need to renew the icebreaker fleet remains,” says Fredrik Backman, Shipping Director at the Swedish Maritime Administration in the press release. (Mechanical translation via Microsoft Edge.)
May 19: Design Firms Aker Arctic and Bluetech Finland Merge:
According to an Aker Arctic press release:
Under the agreement signed today, Aker Arctic Technology Inc (“Aker Arctic”) and Bluetech Finland Ltd (“Bluetech”) will transfer to the ownership of Arctic Marine Technology Group Oy, an entity established for the purpose of owning the companies. Arctic Marine Technology Group is owned by Finnish Industry Investment (Tesi) and ABB, the current shareholders of Aker Arctic.
“The merger of two top players in ship design into the same Group will strengthen Finnish icebreaker expertise and the growth opportunities of the maritime industry. Together, Aker Arctic and Bluetech will form a globally significant player capable of meeting the unprecedented opportunities in the icebreaker business,” says Jussi Hattula, Director of Industrial Investments at Tesi.
Aker Arctic Technology Inc is a private company specializing in the technology development, design, engineering, special products, consulting and testing services for ice-going vessels and icebreakers. Based on our experience in vessel design, we have acquired a sound understanding of the solutions and products required for ice going vessels. This knowledge enables us to offer products that introduce efficiencies and reduce costs, while providing safe, reliable, and efficient equipment for the operator. www.akerarctic.fi
Bluetech Finland Ltd is a company specialized in cruise, ro-pax and cargo ship design, offering engineering services for ship owners, shipyards and marine suppliers. Our expertise includes all ship design disciplines, and we provide concept, basic and detail design.
Finland’s Icebreaking Season Ended May 20th:
From a press release by Arctia, operator of Finland’s Icebreaking Fleet:
The icebreaker Polaris concluded the 2024–2025 icebreaking season on 20 May when it returned to its home port of Katajanokka, Helsinki.
Although the winter was mild, strong winds created difficult-to-navigate slush zones and compacted ice, making the Bay of Bothnia ice field particularly challenging for commercial vessels in some areas.
“The ice-covered area was significantly smaller than usual, at its largest only 85,000 km². On the other hand, parts of the region were quite difficult to navigate due to the stormy weather early in the winter, which caused the ice to become compacted. Throughout the winter and spring, winds mostly blew from between the south and west, only shifting to the north in May. This had an exceptional impact: the fairways to Tornio and Kemi became ice-free before those to Raahe and Kalajoki,” explains Polaris’ captain, Pasi Järvelin.
The season was opened by the icebreaker Kontio, which began operations on December 19. In the Bay of Bothnia, Kontio, Otso, Sisu, and Polaris ensured the smooth flow of maritime traffic. Icebreaking assistance was not needed in the Gulf of Finland this season.
Arctia’s icebreakers operated for a combined total of 479 days during the season. They assisted merchant vessels 1,076 times and carried out 150 tows. The total number of nautical miles covered by the icebreakers was 32,946. The average waiting time for vessels awaiting port entry was 4.8 hours, with 91.5% reaching their destination without delay.
Rauma Marine Constructions Launches Finnish Navy’s First Multi-Purpose Corvette:
From a May 21st press release by RMC:
The first multi-purpose corvette built for the Finnish Navy’s pivotal Squadron 2020 project was launched at Rauma shipyard on Wednesday 21 May 2025. This is a significant milestone and an indication of RMC’s ability to successfully realise demanding building projects.
The Squadron 2020 project is proceeding on schedule. The building pace will accelerate as work on the second and subsequent multi-purpose corvettes progresses. The building of the second multi-purpose corvette began during October 2024 and its keel was laid on 8 May 2025. The direct employment impact of the Squadron project in Finland is equivalent to more than 3,600 person-years.
I was there to see it:
Asia:
India Interested in Acquiring a Polar Research Vessel:
According to a press release from Kongsberg:
Kongsberg Maritime has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) during the Nor-Shipping 2025 event in Oslo, initiating a collaborative effort to explore the design of India’s first indigenous polar research vessel.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in India’s ambitions to strengthen its polar research capabilities and scientific presence in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. While still in the exploratory phase, the MoU reflects the strategic importance of polar science and the increasing global demand for advanced, sustainable research platforms.
Acquiring a polar research vessel has apparently been a long-term desire for India. From a 2023 article in Polar Journal:
India currently has three research stations in the Antarctic: Bharati, Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri. To this day, India has been dependent on outside help to supply its stations. This is now set to change and India wants to build its first polar research vessel in the next five years in order to be able to self-supply its Antarctic bases, said Kiren Rijiju, Minister for Earth Sciences. Accordingly, the minister plans to submit a proposal regarding the ship to the cabinet for approval in the current financial year.
The lack of a dedicated polar research vessel has long been a concern for the Indian research community. With the aim of strengthening its polar research capabilities, the Indian government first proposed the acquisition of an icebreaking research vessel back in 2014. At the time, the cabinet had approved a budget of $120 million for the ship.
However, the project hit a hurdle as the selected company introduced conditions that were not part of the original tender process. As a result, the government had to abandon the plan, leading to a delay in India’s ambition to build its own research vessel. However, the government remained committed to the cause and launched another attempt to acquire or build an icebreaking vessel.
Canada
Construction Begins on Seaspan’s Polar Icebreaker:
According to an April 3, 2025, press release from Seaspan:
Today, Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) cut steel on the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) new heavy polar icebreaker, signifying the start of construction on one of the most advanced conventional polar icebreakers ever to be built. This marks the first time a heavy polar icebreaker has been built in Canada in more than 60 years, and it will play a critical role in protecting our sovereignty for decades to come.
Measuring 158 metres long and 28 metres wide, Seaspan’s polar icebreaker will be incredibly complex, designed to operate self-sufficiently in the high-Arctic year-round. It will play a critical role in enabling the Canadian Coast Guard to transit and operate on more than 162,000 km of Arctic coastline. The capabilities of this Polar Class 2 icebreaker will help sustain a 12-month presence in Canada’s North in support of Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, high-Arctic science (including climate change research), Indigenous Peoples and other northern communities, and the ability to respond to major maritime emergencies including search and rescue. It will be able to accommodate up to 100 personnel, and, as one of the only Polar Class 2 vessels in the world, will be able to operate farther north, in more difficult ice conditions and for longer periods than any icebreaker in Canada to date.
This comes just one month after Seaspan was awarded the construction contract. However, work on this particular icebreaker has been subject to many starts and stops along the way. The project itself dates back to 2012 but was delayed for a number of reasons, with the project only really picking up again in 2021 with a thorough design review and update.
Congratulations to the team at Seaspan for reaching this important milestone!
Functional Design Review a Success for Seaspan’s Multi-Purpose Icebreakers:
From an August 5, 2025, press release by Seaspan:
Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has begun the next step in the design and engineering phase of the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) Multi-Purpose Icebreakers (MPI) program. With the Functional Design Review Meeting for the first flight of six MPIs successfully completed June 19, the company is now working towards the start of the production drawings in preparation for future construction.
The MPI is now through functional or basic design and is entering the phase called production or detailed design.
Thoughts and Comments:
There’s a lot going on these days with regard to icebreakers. I’ve been trying to release this ‘round-up’ for some time, but bigger news stories kept jumping to the front of the line.
I have more articles planned for next week. We’ll see how many I can get out by then.
Until next time, be sure to subscribe and share so that you don’t miss anything new concerning icebreakers.
All the Best,
PGR
