Finland Times

 

File picture of Ice breaker. Photo Lehtikuva.

The government on Thursday agreed to sell an icebreaker, which is now under construction and commissioned by the Finnish Transport Agency to Arctia Icebreaking Oy, a subsidiary of Arctia Shipping Oy, said an official press release.

 

Earlier, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy on November 25, 2014 outlined that the Ministry of Transport and Communications is to begin preparations for the selling of the icebreaker commissioned for the Finnish Transport Agency. 

 

Icebreaker ownership is not part of the agency's main responsibilities that relate to securing prerequisites of winter navigation by purchased icebreaking services. 

 

The State already provides icebreaking services through its company Arctia Shipping. The new icebreaker will be a supplement to Arctia's fleet.

 

Minister of Transport and Local Government Paula Risikko. Photo Lehtikuva.

The icebreaker will be sold at its market value, which will be determined with the help of two independent expert statements.

 

The Transport Agency was granted an authority of euro 128 million in 2013 for procurement of an icebreaker. 

The procurement has been granted EU TEN-T support of euro 24 million as part of the WINMOS project coordinated by Sweden.

 

Ownership of the icebreaker will be transferred to Arctia Icebreaking Oy only after the delivery and approval in accordance with the construction agreement. The delivery date in the construction agreement is 11 January 2016.

 

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport and Local Government Paula Risikko said that that icebreaking services in the Baltic Sea will be ensured.

 

"The primary goal of the State is to ensure cost-effective transport services in the Baltic Sea for business and industry. The agreement to be made with Arctia Icebreaking Oy is meant to include an obligation to have the new icebreaker available for tendering procedures for Baltic Sea icebreaking services until the end of 2020", said the minister.