ICE AGE II
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EDITORIAL
ICE AGE II
On September 28th , 2016 , a powerful newcomer joined the Finnish Icebreaker fleet , as the icebreaker Polaris was delivered to the Finnish Transport Agency . A true masterpiece of Finnish shipbuilding , Polaris is the world ’ s first LNG-powered icebreaker with new , innovative design in the vessel ’ s hull form and propulsion unit arrangement . This prototype vessel , built at Helsinki Shipyard , is designed to serve for at least 50 years in icebreaking , oil recovery and sea rescue operations . Polaris has also been a long time coming – we haven ’ t seen a Finnish icebreaker with similar size range since 1994 .
Polaris serves as a great reminder of the long traditions of Finnish arctic seafaring and marine technology . The know-how of winter seafaring has been – and still is – a crucial lifeline for Finland , as about 80 % of the country ’ s foreign trade is transported by sea . Finland is also the only country in the world whose sea around the ports can be frozen during every winter . Add to this , the shallow and fragile Baltic Sea , and you see the catalyst for the Finnish drive to develop innovative Arctic technology and know-how .
Looking at the Finnish economy , it is clear to see that marine industry is one of the most internationalised and global business branches in the land . The Finnish marine industry binds together a strong network of SMEs that keep extending their business reach internationally . The Finnish marine industry involves many global brands , products , and companies which set the course of world markets .
One example of the innovative nature of Finnish marine industry is the autonomous maritime ecosystem programme , which was also launched in September . The aim of the programme is to provide world ’ s first unmanned maritime products , services and vivid ecosystem by 2025 – including testing of autonomous vessels in the harsh weather conditions in Finland .
In line with the Finnish digitalisation strategy , the programme will take Finnish maritime forward and pay tribute to the centennial year of 2017 , as the Finns come together to celebrate 100 years of independence . Co-inciding with the milestone year , Finland also takes over the two-year chairmanships of the Arctic Council and Arctic Economic Council . The proposed themes of the programme for Finland ’ s chairmanship of the Arctic Council include e . g . climate change in the Arctic and wellbeing in arctic communities . These chairmanships give a great opportunity for the maritime industry – especially its Arctic branch – to further upgrade its profile and expand its expertise .
PETRI CHARPENTIER
1 / 2017
PUBLISHER PubliCo Oy Pälkäneentie 19 A FI-00510 Helsinki Finland Phone + 358 20 162 2200 info @ publico . com www . publico . com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Petri Charpentier
PROJECT MANAGER Jaakko Lätti
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Vappu Virtanen
GRAPHIC DESIGN Riitta Yli-Öyrä
CONTRIBUTORS Sami J . Anteroinen Merja Kihl Ari Mononen
COVER PHOTO Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd
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