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The next generation of icebreakers must respond to great expectations .
Conversion of Icebreaker Otso was carried out at RMC ’ s shipyard in Rauma , Finland . Among other things , the conversion reinforced the ship ’ s structures in order to upgrade its ice class to match Arctic requirements .
serve ever wider ships , as well as cope with new ice characteristics . It appears that a milder climate with more wind and less widespread ice can , actually , make navigation more difficult in ice-covered waters . For example , in the coming years we ’ re likely to see pack ice and ice ridges that are tougher than solid ice .
In addition , the demand for icebreaker assistance has changed in recent years . While ships are getting bigger , environmental standards limit their power somewhat – and thus their ability to navigate ice-covered waters unaided is compromised .
The Nordic icebreaker project is estimated to come with a price tag in excess of billion euros . Both the Swedish Maritime Administration and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency recommend state funding for the undertaking .
14 ICEBREAKERS RIGHT NOW
Presently , there are five active icebreakers in Sweden and nine in Finland , a fleet that was partly developed in collaboration between the countries in the 1970s . That ’ s when the five Urho / Atle class icebreakers were built , together with the sister ships Sisu , Ymer and Frej . seatec 2 / 2022 11