Pori, Kemi become home ports for icebreakers

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has instructed Arctia Ltd, the state-owned provider of icebreaking services, to station icebreakers at additional locations closer to the Bay of Bothnia operational area, said the ministry in a press release on Friday.

Icebreakers will have their home ports in Helsinki, Pori and Kemi by the end of the icebreaking season 2026–2027.

Icebreakers are mainly stationed at their home ports outside the icebreaking season from May to December. Arctia Ltd has a fleet of eight heavy icebreakers.

“Icebreaking is part of our critical infrastructure and helps ensure reliable and predictable conditions for winter navigation. To maintain dependable icebreaking operations, the placement of icebreakers has now been reassessed. This will ensure that our icebreakers are primarily based where they are needed,” said Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

“As much as 95 per cent of Finland's goods imports and exports are transported by sea. National security and security of supply must be safeguarded under all circumstances. This is particularly important given the changed operating environment in the Baltic Sea,” Ranne added.

Icebreaking services must remain operational during disruptions and emergency conditions affecting maritime transport, said the ministry, adding that icebreakers can be used to support the authorities in operations such as oil spill response.

In 2029, the Finnish icebreaker fleet will be strengthened with a new B+ class icebreaker, Aino, whose construction is scheduled to begin in 2027. The new vessel will replace part of the ageing fleet.