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16.10.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is preparing a long-term investment programme, based on the Government Programme, to renew Finland’s icebreaking fleet. In addition, Sanna Ruuskanen, Director of Unit at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, will be appointed as a new member of the Board of Directors of Arctia Ltd, Finland’s state-owned icebreaking company.

20.5.2025 | In its 17th sanctions package, the European Union continues to respond to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine, to Russia’s destabilising measures against the EU and third countries and to the deterioration of the domestic human rights situation in the country. A significant number of vessels belonging to the Russia’s shadow fleet were added to the EU sanctions list.

5.6.2025 | Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark to participate in NATO MRTT air transport fleet Ministry of Defence Publication date 5.6.2025 16.30 Type: Press release On Thursday 5 June 2025, the defence ministers of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark signe...

2.4.2025 | The Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London on 24–28 March 2025. The meeting discussed measures to prevent illegal operations by vessels belonging to the shadow fleet. The Committee approved a proposal co-sponsored by Finland and many other countries to conduct a Regulatory Scoping Exercise to further develop actions to prevent unlawful operations in the maritime sector.

27.6.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is inviting comments on a draft government proposal for a new act on scrapping premiums for passenger cars for the years 2026–2027. The deadline for submitting comments is 5 August 2025.

24.2.2025 | The 16th sanctions package adopted by the European Union on 24 February bans imports of primary aluminium and extends export prohibitions. The package also imposes new sanctions on shadow vessels and those who support the operations of the shadow fleet.

31.7.2026 | The Finnish Environment Institute and the Finnish Navy removed oil from the wreck of the coastal defence ship Ilmarinen between 14 and 24 July 2026. In addition, the Finnish Border Guard, which was prepared for environmental response operations, and the Diving Medical Center participated in the operation. Over the course of two weeks, approximately 60,000 litres of oil was recovered from the vessel’s fuel tanks, but the wreck could not be completely emptied yet.

24.7.2026 | The EU approved its 21st sanctions package on 23 July. The package continues to increase pressure on Russia by weakening Russia’s ability to wage its war of aggression in Ukraine. The new sanctions enter into force on 23 July 2026. The package contains a record number of new listings. The EU also expands sanctions on the energy and financial sectors and on the shadow fleet and similarly expands the import and export ban lists. The package also tightens sanctions against Belarus.

7.7.2026 | The NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum, held in Ankara on 7 July 2026, witnessed several announcements of defence industry initiatives that will strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence, and therefore also Finland’s security.

10.7.2026 | The International Maritime Organization IMO convened at its 137th regular session in London on 6–10 July 2026. A particular focus was on the need to protect seafarers and the freedom of merchant shipping. The Council also decided on a number of questions related to the administration and strategic development of the IMO.

23.4.2026 | Russia is waging a war of aggression in Ukraine for the fifth year and has not demonstrated a genuine willingness to negotiate for a lasting peace. Russia’s ruthless strikes on civilian targets highlight the need to tighten sanctions. With its 20th sanctions package, the European Union continues to increase pressure on Russia to weaken the country’s ability to pursue its war of aggression against Ukraine.

26.6.2026 | In its meeting on Friday 26 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined its positions on the new package of sanctions proposed by the Commission and the External Action Service in response to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. The 21st sanctions package expands personal and entity sanctions, sectoral sanctions and sanctions against Belarus. Finland supports the sanctions.

18.6.2026 | Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen authorised the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command to procure GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) glide bombs from the United States. Glide bombs are used in F-35 multi-role combat aircraft.

22.4.2026 | The Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London on 13–17 April 2026. The meeting discussed the prevention of increased fraudulent registrations and measures to combat unlawful operations of ships.

2.4.2026 | Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot will visit Helsinki on 7 April and meet Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

11.3.2026 | Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communications published a Joint Nordic Strategy for Transport System Preparedness on 11 March 2026. The strategy was handed over to the Nordic transport ministers in Rovaniemi where the ministers also issued a joint statement. As part of their meeting, the ministers will also visit the multinational Cold Response 26 military exercise in Lapland on 12 March 2026.

12.12.2025 | Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to procure AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) from the United States.

20.2.2026 | EU foreign affairs ministers will convene for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 23 February. Political Secretary of State Pasi Rajala will represent Finland at the meeting.

27.11.2025 | On 27 November 2025, the Government proposed approval of a fixed-term act on scrapping premiums for passenger cars. The act will enter into force on 1 January 2026. Applications for a scrapping premium may be submitted to the Transport and Communications Agency Traficom after the entry into force of the proposed act.

22.9.2025 | On 22 September 2025, the Government submitted to Parliament a legislative proposal concerning a fixed-term scrapping premium for passenger cars. Scrapping premiums could be applied for concerning the period 1 October 2025–31 December 2027. Applications could be submitted when the act is in force. The act is proposed to enter into force on 1 January 2026.