T
he historical union means, in essence,
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH
arctic offshore areas, which, in turn, will
that the best elements of the Russian
Design-wise, the ships must be up and
lead to extensive investments in both ships
and Finnish Maritime clusters will now
ready for the extreme environmental con-
and equipment in the future.
work for a common goal. As the Finnish
ditions on the Sakhalin area. They will be
“We want to have our slice of this
arctic technology experience meets Rus-
operating in thick drifting ice in temper-
market,” Mustamäki lays out the game
sian shipbuilding and ship operation ex-
atures as cold as minus 35 C˚. The main
plan.
pertise, it is clear that a new marine indus-
purpose for these vessels is to supply the
try powerhouse is in the making.
gas production platform and to protect it
Arctech is also hungry for more, since
the yard has plenty of capacity left:
In April, Arctech finally announced
from the ice. The icebreaking capability of
“On an annual level, we can build
who will stand at the helm of the new
the vessels must be extremely high, since
4–5 similar ships in Helsinki,” Mustamä-
company. Esko Mustamäki was selected to
they have to operate independently in 1.7
ki confirms. He admits that the hunt is on
the position of Managing Director, having
meter thick ice.
for more contracts, but nothing definite
can be said as of yet.
previously accumulated a wealth of knowl-
As multipurpose vessels, these ves-
edge from the Finnish marine sector. Ear-
sels are capable of carrying various type
lier on, Mustamäki has been working as
of cargo and they are equipped for oil
HIGH LEVEL SUPPORT
the CEO of Finstaship and FG-Shipping Oy
combating, fire fighting, and rescue op-
From the look of things, Arctech will be
(part of Finnlines Group).
erations. The rescue capacity is for 195
sailing under lucky stars. United Ship-
persons.
building Corporation was pretty much
“I’m familiar with the industry and
also the shipyard, and that has helped to
Approximately 60 % of the world’s
singlehandedly created by Prime Minister
make the start a good one,” Mustamäki
operational icebreakers today were built in
Vladimir Putin in 2007 as a part of nation-
comments.
Finland and STX Finland shipyards have a
al maritime reform. With such a mighty
long and proud history in the arena. Tra-
backer, it is easy to predict that the Hel-
SOVCOMLOT START
ditionally, Finnish shipyards have also had
sinki shipyard will receive a steady flow
The business end of things was large-
a strong foothold in Russia, with as many
of orders.
ly taken care of already in December, as
as 1,500 delivered special vessels over the
As a consequence, the status of the
the new shipya