New EU support will keep Sweden’s icebreaker alive

Stockholm – The EU is allocating 56 million kronor for the maintenance of Sweden’s icebreakers – an important investment to keep the operation alive, according to the Swedish Maritime Administration.

Typically, the maintenance of the Swedish Maritime Administration’s six icebreakers is fully financed by fairway fees.

Through the support, additional investments will be made in maintenance – including new navigation systems, new emergency generators, and a new fire safety system on board.

Part of the funds will also go towards the continued renovation of Idun – the latest addition to the fleet purchased last year – which will be upgraded with ice radar and other digital systems.

Finland and Estonia are also included in the EU initiative and will each build a new, smaller icebreaker.

In Sweden, the maintenance of the existing vessels, built in the 1970s and 80s, is only being carried out to maintain operations while waiting for new ones, according to the authority. A procurement process for the construction of a new icebreaker is underway, a first step towards a new fleet.

(August 26)