Rauma Shipyard Marks Milestone with Keel Laying of Third Pohjanmaa-Class Corvette
On January 14, 2026, Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) celebrated a significant achievement in naval shipbuilding by laying the keel for the third Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose corvette for the Finnish Navy. This event coincided with the commencement of construction for the fourth corvette, marking a pivotal moment in the Squadron 2020 project. With this milestone, all four Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are now under simultaneous construction at the RMC shipyard, located in Rauma, Finland.
The year 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for RMC, as the shipyard also prepares to produce two icebreakers ordered by the United States at the end of 2025. The keel-laying ceremony for the third corvette, which began production in August 2025, signifies the ongoing progress of the Squadron 2020 project. The second corvette is nearing the completion of its hull works, while the first corvette, launched in May 2025, has entered the outfitting stage.
Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of RMC, expressed satisfaction with the current pace of construction. “We are very pleased to now have all the multi-purpose corvettes of the Pohjanmaa-class under construction at the Rauma Shipyard,” he stated. He emphasized the industrialization of their procedures to meet the demands of such complex projects, highlighting the advancements made in hull construction.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
The Squadron 2020 project is expected to have a direct employment impact of approximately 3,600 person-years in Finland. The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are recognized as some of the most capable vessels in the Baltic region, designed for year-round operations under various conditions encountered in the Baltic Sea. Brigadier General Engineering Juha-Matti Ylitalo, Deputy Chief of Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command, noted that the steel-cutting for the fourth vessel and the keel-laying of the third are clear indicators of the project’s progress and the capabilities of Finland’s marine industry.
In addition to the corvette project, the icebreaker contract awarded to RMC by the U.S. Coast Guard is advancing towards production. This project is projected to create about 2,000 person-years of direct employment, with a total impact estimated at around 5,000 person-years. The icebreakers are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will operate in some of the world’s harshest marine environments. The overlap of the corvette and icebreaker projects is expected to further enhance RMC’s operational capacity.
Finnish Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen emphasized the strategic importance of these projects for Finland, stating that they significantly boost economic activity, particularly in the Rauma region and Satakunta. He expressed optimism about the job opportunities these projects will create for professionals in the coming years.
Technical Specifications of the Pohjanmaa-Class Corvettes
The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are designed with advanced capabilities to meet the operational demands of the Finnish Navy. Each vessel measures 117 meters in length, 16.5 meters in beam, and has a draught of 5 meters. The crew capacity is set at 70 personnel, ensuring efficient operation and management of the ship’s systems.
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RMC’s investments in steel production and enhanced expertise have bolstered its operational proficiency, positioning the company as a leading supplier of government and military vessels in Finland. As RMC expands its workforce from 300 to approximately 400 employees, it aims to build a robust project organization for the icebreaker initiative, underscoring its commitment to fulfilling national responsibilities in international projects.
