Davie’s Helsinki Shipyard has secured a contract to build Finland’s latest icebreaker, adding to the growing list of projects for the Canadian shipbuilder in Finland as both U.S. and European governments aim to upgrade their old icebreaker fleets.
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has chosen DNY Finland Oy, which runs the Helsinki Shipyard, to construct the 96-meter Aino. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with plans for delivery in September 2029. This new vessel will replace Voima, a 70-year-old B-class icebreaker.
“Finnish winter shipping relies on long-standing expertise and close collaboration. It's crucial for the icebreaker project to advance as scheduled. [...] We're also happy that the ship is being built in Finland,” stated Kari Wihlman, Director General of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
Kim Salmi, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard, described the contract as a natural extension of the yard’s long tradition of icebreaker construction.
“It makes sense that the successor to Voima will be built at the same shipyard that has a century-long history of icebreaking in Finland," Salmi said. “The past few years have shown that we continue to be the leading builders of icebreakers globally,” he added.
This contract strengthens Davie’s status as one of the busiest icebreaker builders in the world. Davie acquired Helsinki Shipyard in 2023 and is utilizing the Finnish yard to assist with major projects in North America.
In Canada, Davie has a C$3.25 billion contract to design and build the Canadian Coast Guard’s Polar Max, one of the most powerful conventional heavy icebreakers worldwide. Construction for this vessel started in Lévis this year, with hull construction taking place at Helsinki Shipyard before it moves back to Quebec for completion.
Davie has also obtained a $3.5 billion contract with the U.S. Coast Guard for five Arctic Security Cutters. Two of these will be made at Helsinki Shipyard, while the remaining three will be built in Texas. The first delivery is expected in 2028.
Aino is smaller than these polar vessels but is intended for another important role in the Baltic region. The B+ class icebreaker is designed to fit between Finland’s large A-class and traditional B-class icebreakers, with Aino aimed at opening a 25-meter wide channel and powered by 10.5 megawatts of propulsion.
The design has been developed by Railotech, previously known as Aker Arctic, to address changing ice conditions in the Baltic. Instead of focusing solely on breaking through thick ice, the design prioritizes maneuverability in fragmented and heavy brash ice, operations near the ice edge in wind and waves, and the capacity for rapid movement between different areas.
Railotech plans for Aino to start its winter season in the Bothnian Bay, where ice conditions are often the most challenging, before moving south as conditions evolve. The vessel’s smaller size and strong performance in open water are meant to make it more cost-effective for a longer operational season, even in winters when Finland’s larger icebreakers are not required.
This "future-ready" strategy highlights a complex aspect of climate change in the Baltic region: less ice overall doesn’t automatically lead to easier icebreaking. Milder winters may result in more fragmented ice, slush barriers, and areas of brash ice that can hinder commercial shipping.
The project has received €42 million in support from the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility, marking the largest CEF transport grant ever awarded to Finland.
Finland's total budget for Aino is estimated to be around €170 million, according to reports from Finnish industry sources.
The construction of Aino will also involve a wider Finnish industrial network. Helsinki Shipyard will manage overall assembly and delivery, while Davie’s partner Sata Shipbuilding in Pori will focus on steel production and block fabrication. Davie indicates that its Finnish shipyards are part of a €200 million investment program aimed at boosting shipbuilding capacity through the end of the decade.