to that network, if their bids proved to
And now, after several months of
about one billion euros. A distinguishing
be competitive from the price angle,” she
hard work, over 20 Finnish companies
factor here is that there are Finnish com-
analyses the starting point.
have signed contracts with St. Nazaire.
panies both big and small involved in the
And despite the fact that block welding
project, ranging from listed companies to
MAKE THE PITCH
for the ship began in September, there are
much smaller businesses with high-focus
After the initial contact and positive feed-
still ongoing negotiations. Lainio says that
niche expertise.
back from the shipyard, Finpro got busy
there are still rather large entities on the
organising visits for the Finnish subcon-
table to be talked about over the sum-
METSO MAKES IT AUTOMATIC
tractor companies – and over 60 Finnish
mer. The French are in no rush to close
One of the bigger companies – and more
companies came over to St. Nazaire to tell
the remaining contracts, since there is still
recent additions to the ranks – is Metso
the French what they can do for the pro-
plenty of time left in the clock: Oasis 3 is
who secured a contract from STX France
ject. Finpro also helped these companies to
not due for delivery until May, 2016.
in March. Metso will supply an advanced
cope with an alien business environment,
Finpro estimates that the Finnish sub-
vessel-wide automation system, including
guiding them to follow the local opera-
contractors have a chance to grab deliver-
sophisticated energy management solu-
tional models and to take account of cor-
ies totalling well over 100 million euros in
tions, to Oasis 3.
porate and social responsibilities.
the project that has an over-all price tag of
This deal was to be expected in
seatec 2/2014
17