Minister Ranne and Commissioner Tzitzikóstas learned about icebreaking in Gulf of Finland – Visit began on board icebreaker Sisu

On 16 February 2026, Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne and Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apóstolos Tzitzikóstas visited the Gulf of Finland to learn about icebreaking. On board icebreaker Sisu, the Minister and Commissioner discussed topics related to icebreaking and other current issues concerning the transport sector. Sisu was the first place that the Commissioner visited in Finland.

During the visit, a key focus was on winter navigation and icebreaking and Finland’s high expertise in these. About 96% of Finland’s foreign exports is transported by sea and Finland is the only country in the world where all ports may be ice bound in winter.

“Icebreaking is a key part of Finland’s critical infrastructure, now and in the future. Icebreakers constitute one of the cornerstones of our security, economy and security of supply. They can and should not be replaced by any utopistic megabridges or tunnels that we cannot afford and that could be destroyed in seconds,” Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne says.

“On board Sisu, the Commissioner received a hefty package of information on icebreaking to be taken to the EU decision-makers, as well as personal experience on the challenging conditions of winter navigation and Finland’s superb expertise in seafaring,” Minister Ranne says.

The topics discussed during the day also included the EU’s multiannual financial framework, military mobility, the Roadworthiness Package and the Weights and Dimensions Directive. 

Inquiries:

Interviews with Minister Ranne:
Markus Liesegang, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 042, [email protected] 

Amira Attia, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 215, [email protected]