Finland in discussions with US over sale of used icebreaker

Finnish multi-purpose icebreaker Fennica , operated by Arctia. (Arctia)

Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has confirmed to Janes that discussions with the US are ongoing about the possible sale of at least one Finnish icebreaker.

Reko-Antti Suojanen, senior ministerial adviser at the ministry, told Janes on 1 July that the ministry was discussing the possible sale of a used icebreaker with the US, but this was not Finland's newest such vessel, Polaris.

Speaking at a NATO press conference in The Hague on 25 June, US President Donald Trump said, “I want to buy icebreakers. You know, you're [the Finns] very good at icebreakers. And I actually made him [Finland's President Alexander Stubb] an offer. It's a used icebreaker and I offered him about one-third of what he asked for. But we're negotiating, we need icebreakers in the US and if we can get some inexpensively, I'd like to do that. Actually, they'll [a potential Finnish provider] fix it up, make it good. Also, we may buy some icebreakers. We're negotiating with them [the Finns] for about 15 different icebreakers, but one of them is available now. It's like five, six years old. Now, we're trying to buy it.”

Local Finnish media have reported that the ship being discussed is likely the 1993-built icebreaker and offshore support vessel Fennica, although Finnish officials have not confirmed this.

Finland has nine active icebreakers, operated by state-owned Arctia Ltd. The country has developed a global reputation for icebreaker design and construction.