​Finland follows NATO entry with new patrol vessels

An announcement by ABB that it would supply the power and propulsion package for the vessels came immediately adter Finland officially joined NATO.

ABB says its integrated power and propulsion system will comprise two Azipod propulsion units and an onboard DC grid power system for both vessels, including ABB’s Power and Energy Management System.The new vessels will replace Tursas and Uisko, says ABB, and will work alongside Turva to guard the country’s borders, perform maritime rescue operations and help mitigate environmental impacts.

“The new vessels will also serve as command bases for other vessels, helicpopters, rescue swimmers, divers, and, when necessary, other public security authorities during joint operations,” ABB says. “With them, the ability to carry out mass evacuations will grow to more than 400 people and the capacity to collect spilled oil will approximately double from the present level.

”Finland’s coastline is a tough one to guard, with rocky waters, a jagged shoreline and hard winter- conditions. ABB says its propulsors will provide the manoeuvrability and ice-breaking capabilities needed to provide crew comfort in these conditions.

“Our new patrol vessels will be at sea about 330 days a year, performing operations under busy and diverse conditions,” said Commander Marko Aheristo, Head of Ship Technical Unit at the Finnish Border Guard. “The vessels are designed for low-emission operations and for energy efficiency, and need a versatile and sophisticated power and propulsion system based on advanced, proven technology. ABB provides us with an integrated package that meets our stringent requirements, ensuring rapid functional capacity and continuous readiness to keep people, property and nature safe.”

ABB is gaining presence in the coast guard segment, working with Canada to modernise 10 of its coast guard vessels and extend their lifespan by 20 years, it claims.

In 2019, the Norwegian Coast Guard’s KV Svalbard became the first ever Azipod-powered ship to reach the North Pole, it says.