"Trump Wants to Buy 11": Finland's World-Leading Icebreaker Technology Coveted by the US [Company Lab]

Focusing on Icebreaker Design Technology for 20 Years: Aker Arctic
From Design to Testing, Operation, Analysis, Improvement, and Back to Design
Providing Design Solutions for Over 100 Vessels

Editor's NoteAs of 2022, South Korean companies ranked second in the world for research and development (R&D) expenditures, and fourth in the number of patent applications filed in the United States (2020). However, the annual average growth rate of corporate productivity dropped significantly from 6.1% between 2001 and 2010 to just 0.5% between 2011 and 2020. This decline is attributed to the slowdown in productivity growth among so-called "innovative companies" that are actively engaged in innovation. Without change, companies risk being ignored by the market. To help the industry revive its innovation DNA, we examine leading cases of innovation by renowned global companies. Innovative companies will serve as the catalyst to revive South Korea's stagnant economic growth rate.

After the United States announced plans to purchase 11 icebreakers from Finland, attention has sharply focused on Finnish-made icebreakers. The topic gained further traction when President Donald Trump openly requested the transfer of icebreaker technology during his meeting with President Alexander Stubb of Finland in October of last year. With limited experience in building icebreakers, the United States decided that four of the 11 vessels would be produced locally in Finland, while the remaining seven would be jointly constructed at American shipyards in cooperation with Finland.

Domestic shipbuilders unanimously agree that building icebreakers is virtually impossible without the design support of this Finnish company. That company is Aker Arctic, located in the capital city of Helsinki. Aker Arctic is an engineering firm specializing in the design of icebreakers and ships that navigate polar seas. Some even say that it is not an exaggeration to claim that Aker Arctic has developed and designed the majority of the world's icebreakers. It is also known that Aker Arctic is participating in the design of South Korea's next-generation icebreaker, which will succeed the Araon.

Aker Arctic researchers are testing icebreaking technology at the model testing laboratory. Aker Arctic website

Originally the icebreaking design research center of a shipyard, Aker Arctic became an independent company in 2005 and has spent the last 20 years focusing exclusively on icebreaker design. Building on the icebreaking technology developed by Finnish shipyards since the 1930s and the Wartsila Ice Model Basin established in the 1960s, the company has steadily advanced its technological capabilities. Today, Aker Arctic still operates a model testing laboratory for icebreaking technology and boasts cutting-edge expertise.

Arto Uuskallio, Head of Sales and Marketing at Aker Arctic, said in a recent interview with The Asia Business Daily, "Over several decades, we have developed and validated design solutions in more than 100 ships, conducted over 700 ice tank tests, and performed more than 150 full-scale measurement campaigns," adding, "Based on extensive operational feedback, we have built a comprehensive knowledge base."

Icebreakers are a field that requires not only advanced technology but also years of experience, making it difficult to enter. Uuskallio emphasized, "Aker Arctic's goal is to understand best practices, identify effective solutions, and learn from cases that were relatively less successful," adding, "The continuous cycle of design, testing, operation, analysis, improvement, and back to design ensures ongoing improvement and innovation in every project."

In addition to icebreakers, Aker Arctic specializes in designing a variety of vessels that can independently operate in icy waters, including cargo ships, oil tankers, polar research vessels, and cruise ships. Rather than resting on its laurels as an institution limited to icebreaking tests, the company has continuously expanded its technological capabilities through relentless research. Uuskallio noted, "After the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, the icebreaker market experienced a steep decline," but added, "During that period, Finnish shipyards maintained their strength in the cruise ship sector. Thanks to that experience, Aker Arctic was able to support various projects and shipyards around the world and significantly expand its business areas."

In early 2021, Aker Arctic closely collaborated with Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards and the Canadian Coast Guard to initiate the development of a multipurpose icebreaker. One of the multipurpose icebreakers is navigating through the ice. Aker Arctic website

Despite possessing the world's best technology, Aker Arctic is not content to rest on its laurels. In May of last year, Aker Arctic acquired Bluetech Finland, a Finnish marine engineering company. Through this acquisition, the company set a clear goal of delivering top-tier design at every stage of project execution. Uuskallio explained, "Bluetech possesses outstanding engineering expertise that perfectly complements Aker Arctic's icebreaking know-how," adding, "This enables us to provide a complete design chain, from initial concept design to detailed design."

Aker Arctic revealed that it sometimes invests more than 20% of its revenue in R&D. As of 2024, Aker Arctic's revenue exceeds 15 million euros (approximately 25.5 billion won), and the company employs 56 technical experts. Uuskallio stated, "R&D is the backbone of our business, so we continue to make significant investments every year," adding, "As a privately held company, we cannot disclose exact figures, but a substantial portion is allocated to research, model testing, and the development of design tools to maintain our leadership in Arctic technology."