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RMC signs cont­ract to build two U.S. Coast Guard Arc­tic Se­cu­ri­ty Cut­ters

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 30 December 2025 30 December 2025

Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) yesterday announced that it has been awarded a contract by the United States Coast Guard (U.S. Coast Guard) for the construction of two Arctic Security Cutters (ASC). The contract will deliver the first two ASCs , as part of the historic agreement between the United States and Finland to accelerate delivery of icebreakers to the U.S. Coast Guard. Construction of the vessels will begin immediately.

Award underscores Finland’s leadership in icebreaker construction and RMC’s ability to accelerate delivery of critical Arctic capability.

“The awarded contract marks a historic milestone. It is a major vote of confidence in RMC and in the Finnish maritime industry network. We secured this significant deal thanks to our expertise and capability to build the ships within the required timeframe. Our fast delivery times make us the most affordable option on the market. Now it is time for us and our network to prove ourselves and demonstrate that we are worthy of trust,” said Mika Nieminen, CEO at Rauma Marine Constructions.

The icebreakers will be built at the Rauma shipyard and will be completed in 2028. Satakunta University of Applied Sciences is participating in the project as a training partner.

“Our focus is straightforward: execute with discipline, manage risk rigorously, and deliver two cutters that are ready to operate in the world’s harshest maritime environment from day one,” said Mika Nieminen.

The contract is a major achievement for the historic U.S.–Finland icebreaker cooperation announced earlier this fall under the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact) framework.

“Finnish shipyards build the world’s best icebreakers and the largest cruise ships. Securing the icebreaker order for RMC’s shipyard is excellent news for Finland and for our entire maritime industry. The order strengthens the position of Finnish companies in the global value chain, increases Finland’s competitiveness and increases export income,” said Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.

“In the case of icebreakers, RMC’s preparatory work started in the autumn, but now we are moving towards full implementation. The entity formed by the shipyard and an extensive network of subcontractors and partners is unique internationally. This will enable us to deliver even the most modern icebreakers quickly and with high quality,” said Minister Puisto.

RMC’s role is central in the ASC program which emphasizes schedule certainty, low technical risk, and the use of a mature, production-ready design to meet the Coast Guard’s urgent operational requirements. Under the award, RMC will construct the first two Arctic Security Cutters based on the proven Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design developed by Seaspan Shipyards in collaboration with Aker Arctic Technology. The vessels will be built in cooperation with the U.S. shipbuilder Bollinger Shipyards.

MXP365 digital guest journey is on a roll

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 15 December 2025 15 December 2025

Within the past 12 months, eight cruise lines have signed up for the MXP365 digital guest journey. The cloud-based web and mobile MXP365 software covers the entire digital guest journey from pre-cruise to onboard and post-cruise. With fast implementation and a highly favorable ROI compared to in-house development, MXP365 is successfully used by cruise lines such as TUI Cruises. The platform delivers service excellence with the native guest app for smartphones, web portal, digital signage, advanced in-cabin iTV, self-service kiosks, chat, and messaging.

With the AI-powered MXP Chatbot, guests can ask questions, make purchases, and access all cruise-specific information using natural speech. By analyzing guest profiles and past behavior, MXP’s AI delivers personalized sales recommendations, enriching the guest experience and increasing revenue.

MXP365 integrates seamlessly into the MXP Enterprise Platform, connecting all guest touchpoints with core operational systems such as the property management system, itineraries, port operations, tours, vendors, and supply chain. The MXP Enterprise Platform is built on an agile architecture, evolving through continuous modular expansion. Implementations run fast, supported by an expert team with deep cruise industry experience.

Knud E. Hansen supports next-generation ropax ferries for Cook Strait

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 08 December 2025 08 December 2025

Knud E. Hansen, a leading naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy, has announced a significant milestone in its ongoing collaboration with Ferry Holdings Limited. Following the successful signing of the shipbuilding contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), two new state-of-the-art ropax vessels will be built.

These vessels are destined for service linking the North and South islands across New Zealand’s challenging Cook Strait and through the environmentally sensitive environs of the Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound. This achievement marks a major step forward in a multi-year effort to modernize and enhance inter-island transport capability. Knud E. Hansen has supported Ferry Holdings Limited throughout this journey, contributing comprehensive technical expertise from the earliest project stages.

Its involvement has included:

– Development of the initial concept designs
– Preparation and refinement of detailed contract specifications
– Shipyard capability assessments and vetting
– Technical and commercial support during contract negotiations.

With the shipbuilding agreement now in place, Knud E. Hansen will continue to work closely with Ferry Holdings Limited as their trusted technical partner throughout the newbuild programme. Its team will remain deeply engaged throughout all phases of design development, construction oversight, and commissioning, right through to vessel delivery.

“We are delighted to support Ferry Holdings in bringing these transformational vessels to reality,” said Javier Suarez, Managing Director, Knud E. Hansen. “This fleet renewal represents a major investment in the future of Cook Strait transport, and we are committed to ensuring Ferry Holdings receives vessels of the highest safety, reliability, and performance standards.”

The new ropax vessels will play a central role in strengthening New Zealand’s transport infrastructure linking the North and South islands with improved capacity and passenger experience for decades to come. These vessels will set a new benchmark for safety, efficiency, environmental sensitivity and reliability on one of the worlds most demanding ferry routes.

Washington State Ferries selects ABB to power their first hybrid-electric newbuild vessels

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 01 December 2025 01 December 2025

ABB has secured an order with Washington State Ferries (WSF), the United States’ largest ferry operator, to supply and integrate hybrid-electric propulsion systems for two hybrid-electric 160-auto ferries that initiate the owner’s ambitious System Electrification Program.

With the first two ships scheduled for delivery from Eastern Shipbuilding Group, one apiece in 2030 and 2031, the contract also includes an option for a third ferry. WSF has previously announced plans to build up to 16 ships by the end of 2040, as part of a ferry electrification program targeting lower emissions.

ABB will supply and integrate end-to-end systems including power distribution, advanced energy management, and marine automation for ferries that will include the largest ship batteries ever installed in the US. Based on ABB Onboard DC Grid and PEMS power and energy management system, the hybrid-electric propulsion systems will achieve substantially lower fuel consumption and operating costs than existing WSF vessels serving the same routes. Each ship’s 13.2-megawatt-hour energy storage systems will also enable all-electric, emissions-free operations on short routes and in port.

The order builds on ABB’s early-stage involvement as the propulsion single source vendor in the WSF project, announced in 2024, with the contract amended to reflect the confirmed initial shipbuilding contract for two ships plus one option.

“The Washington State Ferries System Electrification Program is the largest of its kind in the United States, and ABB’s continued involvement, secured through this new order, helps mitigate risk and ensure on-time vessel delivery,” said David Sowers, System Electrification Program Administrator for Washington State Ferries. “ABB’s state-of-the-art hybrid-electric propulsion systems demonstrate the company’s proven expertise in complex system integration. These systems will substantially reduce emissions and enhance operational reliability across the WSF fleet, advancing our long-term modernization objectives and helping people and businesses thrive throughout the Puget Sound.”

The ABB systems on board will also reduce vessel noise and vibrations, increasing comfort for passengers and crew while minimizing impact to local wildlife and coastal communities.

“This contract marks another important step in our collaboration with Washington State Ferries,” said Bruce Strupp, Vice President Americas, ABB’s Marine & Ports division. “It reflects the trust placed in ABB’s hybrid-electric propulsion technology and our ability to deliver reliable, scalable solutions that support WSF’s long-term sustainability goals. We’re proud to continue helping WSF modernize its fleet to maintain reliable service and reduce environmental impact.”