RMC Begins Building Second Finnish Navy Pohjanmaa-class Multi-purpose Corvette

The Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) initiated the building of its second multi-purpose corvette with a traditional steel cutting ceremony. The ceremony marked the start of the construction phase and was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Finnish Navy and the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command. RMC believes that the company’s capabilities will also attract new orders to the shipyard. Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) and its subsidiary RMC Defence Oy have been commissioned to build four Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose corvettes for the Finnish Navy as part of the Squadron 2020 project. The high-performance multi-purpose corvettes have been designed for varying conditions in the Baltic Sea, including icy conditions. RMC has made significant investments and improved its own capabilities throughout the construction of the first multi-purpose corvette. The corvettes are being built in a closed hall constructed specifically for this project as a means of guaranteeing the necessary safety and quality. The construction of the multi-purpose corvettes is related to national security and, thus, the Ministry of Defence, the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command (that commissioned the vessel), the Finnish Navy, Lloyd’s Register classification and compliance company, and the management and employees from Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) were present for the initiation of the production phase. The construction of the first of the multi-purpose corvettes has advanced well into the hull phase and is already beginning to take shape. The entire Squadron 2020 project is expected to be completed in 2029. The direct employment impact of the project in Finland is equivalent to more than 3,600 person-years.

“RMC has an agreement to build four multi-purpose corvettes for the Navy in co-operation with the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command. Established co-operation with the client ensures that the vessels will meet the future needs of the Navy. During the construction of the first multi-purpose corvette, we did a great deal of development work that will greatly facilitate the construction of future vessels. Since we managed to get the construction of the second multi-purpose corvette underway already, I am pleased to say that we will be several weeks ahead of scheduleZ”, says Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of RMC.

“Our ability to build both warships and other special vessels, such as icebreakers, is top notch. We believe that there will be significant demand for these in the future. Our investments in green technology are drawing increasing interest from new clients”, says Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of RMC.

“The Defence Forces Logistics Command appreciates the mutual co-operation with RMC. We believe that this will provide the Navy with multi-purpose corvettes that will be optimal for performance in all conditions. RMC has met our specific requirements”, says Juha-Matti Ylitalo, Brigadier General Engineering and Deputy Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command.

In March 2024, RMC, which is entirely Finnish-owned, celebrated ten years since its founding. During this time, the company delivered the award-winning commercial car and passenger ferries MyStar (Tallink, 2022), Aurora Botnia (Wasaline, 2021) and Hammershus (Molslinjen, 2018). In addition to the multi-purpose corvettes, the company is also currently building the second of two Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferries for the TT-Line Company in Australia. The first Spirit of Tasmania car ferry was delivered to the client in mid-September. RMC’s current order book is worth over one billion euro. RMC will build a total of four Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose corvettes for the Finnish Navy. A multi-purpose corvette is a warship capable of effectively carrying out naval duties at sea all year round. These warships will be equipped with unique performance capabilities and properties as to make them ideal for the varying conditions of the Baltic Sea. They will also be able to operate in icy conditions. Rauma shipyard has a long-standing tradition of collaboration with the Finnish Navy. Throughout history, four Hamina-class vessels, two Hämeenmaa-class minelayers, four Rauma-class missile boats and the hovercraft ‘Tuuli’ were built in Rauma. Rauma shipyard has also produced several icebreakers and other special vessels.

Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) is a Finnish shipbuilding company based in Rauma, Finland. The company’s main products are car ferries, icebreakers and naval vessels. Rauma Marine Constructions was established by private investors with background in the Finnish shipbuilding industry shortly after STX Finland closed the Rauma shipyard in 2014. In September 2016, the Finnish Defense Forces Logistics Command signed a letter of intent with Rauma Marine Constructions in order to investigate the company’s capability for building four multi-role corvettes for the Finnish Navy’s Squadron 2020 fleet renewal program. In April 2017, this was followed by a 7.5 million euro design contract for the new Finnish surface combatant class that will replace three minelayers and four missile boats. A letter of intent for the construction contract was signed in the beginning of November 2018 and the final 647.6 million euro shipbuilding contract on 26 September 2019. The construction of the four-strong Pohjanmaa class began on 30 October 2023 and the keel of the first vessel was laid on 11 April 2024. The construction of the second vessel began on 9 October 2024. Full operational status is expected to be achieved in 2029.