Reko-Antti Suojanen appointed national head of ICE Pact -icebreaker cooperation

Reko-Antti Suojanen (M.Sc. Engineering) will lead the national coordination of ICE Pact – an icebreaker collaboration effort between Finland, the United States and Canada.

Finland, Canada and the United States published a joint statement on icebreaker collaboration in June. ICE Pact will enhance the collaboration between the countries as regards the design, production and maintenance of icebreakers as well as other Arctic and polar capabilities.

Suojanen has extensive experience in the Arctic shipbuilding market. He was Managing Director of Aker Arctic Technology, which specialises in the design of icebreakers and ice-going vessels, in 2014–2024. Prior to that, he worked in various positions at shipbuilders Kvaerner Masa-Yards and Aker Yards in Turku and Helsinki. He has also served as a board member of many companies and organisations engaged in shipping. 

Negotiations on concrete implementation of the joint statement by Finland, the United States and Canada are nearing completion. In Finland, this work is carried out under the leadership of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in cooperation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Finland’s NATO membership and the increased opportunities for international cooperation related to icebreakers and other special purpose ships this has brought along can significantly improve the operating conditions and growth of the Finnish maritime industry.

Inquiries: 
Reko-Antti Suojanen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 40 073 8123
Petri Peltonen, Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 62 663