Aker Arctic Ice Lab Inaugurated

Aker Arctic, which started operations as a new company in the beginning of 2005, has erected a modern new office and ice model test facility in the Vuosaari district of Helsinki. The premises were inaugurated today in the presence of Finland s Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Mauri Pekkarinen. Speeches were also heard from President Yrjö Julin with the compliments of Aker Yards, and Mikko Niini, Managing Director of Aker Arctic. In addition to the ice laboratory and model testing activities Aker Arctic is offering its own portfolio of conceptual ship designs for various yards, ship owners and offshore operators interested in operations in ice-infested cold waters. Aker Yards is the majority share holder of Aker Arctic with 62.5 %. Due to the attractive market and growth potential in arctic shipbuilding, ABB, Wärtsilä Corporation and Aker Kvaerner Engineering and Technology AS of Norway have taken a 12.5 per cent stake each in the company. These partners are through their expertise actively contributing to the technology developed by Aker Arctic which will lead to enhanced overall performance of ice going vessels.