Finnish shipbuilding company, Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), has today launched its first newbuilding order; a car and passenger ferry for Danish shipping company, Molslinjen. The 158-meter ferry was launched from the Rauma shipyard and is scheduled for delivery in June 2018.

 Rauma Marine Constructions’ first shipbuilding order, a 158-meter car and passenger ferry for Danish ferry operator Molslinjen, was launched today from the Rauma shipyard. In March 2017, the construction of the ship started, ahead of schedule, and construction has progressed as planned.

 “This is the launch of RMC’s first newbuilding order, and a significant milestone in our company’s history. It is with great pride that we launch the vessel today,” states Jyrki Heinimaa, CEO, Rauma Marine Constructions.

The exterior of the ferry has already been completed. After the launch, the ship will be relocated to a dry-dock for equipment assembly and interior work, followed by trial runs and commissioning. The ship will be delivered to Molslinjen by the end of June 2018.

Construction according to schedule from start to finish

The car and passenger ferry will start operating during autumn 2018. The ship will mostly operate in Denmark and has been designed for use mainly on the Køge (Sjælland) – Rønne (Bornholm) route. However, during summer, it will also operate between Rønne and Sassnitz, Germany.

The ship’s passenger capacity is over 700 people, and it will be able to accommodate around 90 freight trailers. Though the cargo will mainly consist of trucks, the ship can also transport hundreds of passenger cars, if needed.

The ship will be built entirely in Rauma and will have a positive impact on employment totaling around 1,000 person-years. During next spring, there will be approximately 300 employees working on the ship’s equipment outfitting. Rauma Marine Constructions is very satisfied with how the project has progressed.

“Production has been excellent throughout: the ship will be delivered according to schedule and cooperation with Molslinjen has been impeccable,” says Timo Kaskinen, VP, Projects, Rauma Marine Constructions.

Modernization of Aranda progressing as planned

In addition to the launch of the car and passenger ferry for Molslinjen, the Finnish Environment Institute’s (SYKE) marine research vessel ‘Aranda’ was also launched at the Rauma shipyard. The repairs, which involved a seven-meter extension to the vessel, have been completed and the vessel will enter the final outfitting phase next.

The purpose of Aranda’s refurbishment and modernisation is to ensure the ship’s ability to function until the 2030s, while reducing its environmental impact and operating costs. The additional meters will not only facilitate the expansion of research and laboratory spaces, but also the transition to a completely electronic power transmission in accordance with new research requirements. The vessel will be delivered back to SYKE according to schedule during spring 2018.

Shipbuilding company Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) has appointed the chairman of the board, Jyrki Heinimaa, to be the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from 01.12.2017 onwards. In addition to Heinimaa, RMC has also elected a new COO, chairman of the board and member of the board. Organizational changes are a part of the company’s new growth phase, with ambitions that include the deal for the Squadron 2020-project, business growth, the strengthening of RMC’s unique know-how, as well as continued development of the network-based business model.

“Rauma Marine Constructions’ growth story has been phenomenal from the beginning,” says Jyrki Heinimaa, incoming CEO, Rauma Marine Constructions. “The changes in management are a natural consequence of the next growth phase of the company. At this stage, the challenges the company faces are different from those at the start-up phase. It is, therefore, the right time to strengthen and develop the management of RMC according to the requirements set by the new phase. Private sector funding has a crucial role to play in enabling growth, and ensuring private funding in future projects will be essential to RMC’s growth.”

Most recently, Heinimaa was the Group CEO of the Hollming group of companies. Prior to this, Heinimaa’s career includes many years  in the shipbuilding industry, holding management positions in ship finance, in particular.

As a part of the larger organizational change, there will be a number of other new names in RMC’s management. Timo Suistio, CEO, BMH Technology, has been appointed to the new  COO position. Suistio’s strong project management skills will support the company’s direction towards larger and more challenging ship projects. Current member of the board and CEO of Vientistrategit Oy, Mikko Niini, will become the new chairman of the board. Furthermore, the board has appointed a new member, Pekka Vataja, previously the director of Danske Bank’s large companies unit, and one of the founding partners of Sagacitas Finance Partners.

Rauma Marine Construction’s current CEO, Heikki Pöntynen, will leave the company.

“Having overcome the shipbuilding crisis and successfully managed the start of a new company, I now feel it is time to leave my position as CEO,  and leave the strong company that RMC has now become. I will be following RMC’s future development with great interest and excitement,” says Pöntynen.

Heinimaa thanks Pöntynen for his determined and successful managing of the business.

“During his time as CEO, the company has grown and developed into a shipbuilding company that is now aiming to secure a billion-euro shipbuilding contract with the Finnish Defence Forces,” says Heinimaa.

In other news, the construction of the car and passenger ferry for Danish shipping company, Molslinjen A/S, is proceeding as planned at Rauma Marine Constructions. The 158-meter ferry will be launched at the shipyard before Christmas. The refurbishment and modernization of the Finnish Environment Institute’s (SYKE) marine research vessel, ‘Aranda’, is also underway at the shipyard. The repairs will involve a seven-meter extension to the vessel, as well as the implementation of an  all-electric power transmission, which will enable the underwater noise emitted by the ship to be significantly reduced.

Seeing the letter of intent is realized, Rauma-based shipbuilding company Rauma Marine Constructions will build four vessels capable of operating in ice conditions for the Finnish Defence Forces.

The Logistics Command of the Finnish Defence Forces will look into the prospects of Finnish-owned shipyard company Rauma Marine Constructions acting as the ship building partner for the Squadron 2020 project. The Logistics Command will ensure in cooperation with RMC it’s shipyard capacity, security of supply and other building prerequisites for combat vessels. More than 80 domestic and international suppliers responded to the request for information regarding Squadron 2020.

“On behalf of the company, I am elated and proud of the confidence that the Finnish Defence Forces have entrusted in us with the Squadron 2020 project. We will do everything in our power to make sure this letter of intent eventually results in the building of these naval vessels at the Rauma ship yard”, says Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of RMC.

The letter of intent outlines the building of four vessels capable of operating in ice conditions. The Squadron 2020 vessels are constructed for homeland defense purposes and the detailed composition of the combat system will be clarified as planning progresses. According to Pöntynen, the letter of intent also holds great importance because of its impact on job creation:

“The Finnish Defence Forces trusting our know-how regarding the construction of the new naval combat vessels is a big and significant step for RMC. If the project is realized, the impact on job creation in Rauma will be extensive and long-term.”

Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) is a wholly Finnish-owned shipbuilding company formed in summer 2014 in Rauma. RMC specializes in building and servicing multipurpose icebreakers, car and passenger ferries and naval vessels. More information available at www.rmcfinland.fi

The Finnish Border Guard’s OPV Turva was docked at RMC’s drydock between 04 – 15.04.2016. Docking works comprised of classification society inspections and annual docking service works.

The project was completed as planned on schedule and OPV Turva was put back on service on 16.04.2016.