Posted on October 14, 2024
On Thursday, 9 October, the Rauma shipyard initiated the building of its second multi-purpose corvette with a traditional steel cutting ceremony. The ceremony marked the start of the construction phase and was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Finnish Navy and the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command. RMC believes that the company’s capabilities will also attract new orders to the shipyard.
Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) and its subsidiary RMC Defence Oy have been commissioned to build four Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose corvettes for the Finnish Navy as part of the Squadron 2020 project. The high-performance multi-purpose corvettes have been designed for varying conditions in the Baltic Sea, including icy conditions. RMC has made significant investments and improved its own capabilities throughout the construction of the first multi-purpose corvette. The corvettes are being built in a closed hall constructed specifically for this project as a means of guaranteeing the necessary safety and quality.
‘RMC has an agreement to build four multi-purpose corvettes for the Navy in co-operation with the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command. Established co-operation with the client ensures that the vessels will meet the future needs of the Navy. During the construction of the first multi-purpose corvette, we did a great deal of development work that will greatly facilitate the construction of future vessels. Since we managed to get the construction of the second multi-purpose corvette underway already, I am pleased to say that we will be several weeks ahead of schedule’, says Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of RMC.
The construction of the multi-purpose corvettes is related to national security and, thus, the Ministry of Defence, the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command (that commissioned the vessel), the Finnish Navy, Lloyd’s Register classification and compliance company, and the management and employees from Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) were present for the initiation of the production phase.
‘The Defence Forces Logistics Command appreciates the mutual co-operation with RMC. We believe that this will provide the Navy with multi-purpose corvettes that will be optimal for performance in all conditions. RMC has met our specific requirements’, affirms Juha-Matti Ylitalo, Brigadier General Engineering and Deputy Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command.
The construction of the first of the multi-purpose corvettes has advanced well into the hull phase and is already beginning to take shape. The entire Squadron 2020 project is expected to be completed in 2029. The direct employment impact of the project in Finland is equivalent to more than 3,600 person-years.
‘Our ability to build both warships and other special vessels, such as icebreakers, is top notch. We believe that there will be significant demand for these in the future. Our investments in green technology are drawing increasing interest from new clients’, says Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of RMC.
RMC’s order book extends to 2028
In March 2024, RMC, which is entirely Finnish-owned, celebrated ten years since its founding. During this time, the company delivered the award-winning commercial car and passenger ferries MyStar (Tallink, 2022), Aurora Botnia (Wasaline, 2021) and Hammershus (Molslinjen, 2018).
In addition to the multi-purpose corvettes, the company is also currently building the second of two Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferries for the TT-Line Company in Australia. The first Spirit of Tasmania car ferry was delivered to the client in mid-September. RMC’s current order book is worth over one billion euro.
RMC will build a total of four Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose corvettes for the Finnish Navy. A multi-purpose corvette is a warship capable of effectively carrying out naval duties at sea all year round. These warships will be equipped with unique performance capabilities and properties as to make them ideal for the varying conditions of the Baltic Sea. They will also be able to operate in icy conditions.
Rauma shipyard has a long-standing tradition of collaboration with the Finnish Navy. Throughout history, four Hamina-class vessels, two Hämeenmaa-class minelayers, four Rauma-class missile boats and the hovercraft ‘Tuuli’ were built in Rauma. Rauma shipyard has also produced several icebreakers and other special vessels.
A computer rendering of the new Finnish corvettes in icy waters.
Key dimensions of the multi-purpose corvettes:
Length: 117 m
Beam: 16.5 m
Draught: 5 m
Speed: 26 knots (48 km/h)
Crew: 70
