performance – as well as the introduction of new technology – provide a good platform for creating new services, products and innovations.

However, innovation is not only about increasing competitiveness, but also about defending it. You learn also by doing, so the new icebreaker contract is certainly important in that sense. With the orderbook filling up, it is easy to say that there will definitely be more innovation and new cutting-edge solutions.

The strength of

Finnish shipbuilding lies the strong role of the subcontracting network.

FROM A FOREIGN PERSPECTIVE, THE FINNISH MARINE ECOSYSTEM MAY SEEM EXOTIC – BUT TO FINNS, COLLABORATION IS PRETTY MUCH SECOND NATURE. WHY DOES THIS COLLAB MODEL WORK HERE BUT NOT NECESSARILY ELSEWHERE?

– Finland has a very significant maritime industry in relation to the size of the country. There are strong marine ecosystems elsewhere, for example in Norway, which specializes in off-shore vessels. Both of these countries have built ships, and several hundred significant companies have emerged from the shipbuilding sector, each with their own specialist expertise and products.

However, it can be said that a significant number of equipment suppliers and subcontractors are needed around the shipyards. For the construction of icebreakers, very specialized suppliers are needed, and they are mainly located in Finland.

The icebreaker deal gives clear indication of Finland’ s expertise and competitiveness in the world. At the heart of competitiveness there are performance, quality, and both fast and reliable delivery times of the vessels.

THANKS TO THE SUBCONTRACTOR NETWORK, THE ROLE OF SHIPYARDS IS INCREASINGLY THAT OF A COORDINATOR NOW?

– I wouldn’ t say it’ s a coordinator role. The shipyard is the company that is entirely responsible for building the ship and delivering it to the customer. Today’ s shipyards

10 seatec 1 / 2026