seatec - Finnish marine technology review 1/2005 | Page 14

Aker Arctic Technology Inc. starts operations Aker Yards Group´s strategy to seek growth in the business for Arctic technology has taken a step forward. At the year’s end a new entity, Aker Arctic Technology Inc. (AARC), was registered in Finland and the new company started operations on January 1, 2005. s a subsidiary to the new Aker Finnyards, AARC will not only continue the activity of the former Masa-Yards´ Arctic Technology Centre (MARC), but will also start offering its own portfolio of conceptual ship designs for various yards, ship owners and offshore operators interested in operations in ice-infested cold waters. During 2005 the new company will erect a modern new office and ice model test facility in the A Vuosaari district of Helsinki, where along the new por t development a marine business park will be created. “This represents a new and important step in our continuous endeavour to master the challenging arctic environment and will contribute to consolidate our position as the world leader in arctic designs”, states Mr Oddvar Slettevold, Executive Vice President, Projects & Technology, Aker Yards ASA. Due to the attractive market and growth potential in arctic shipbuilding, ABB, Wärtsilä Corporation and Aker Kvaerner Engineering and Technology AS of Norway have taken a 12.5 per cent stake each in the new entity.These partners will through their expertise actively contribute to the technology developed by AARC, which will lead to enhanced overall performance of ice going vessels. The Arctic Technology Centre was Photos Aker Finnyards Fennica 12 SEATEC 2005