Finnish Icebreaker heads to Canadian Arctic
Nordica comes courtesy of partnership between Inuit organization and southern engineering firm
The polar class icebreaker Nordica will operate in Canadian Arctic waters for the upcoming season. (Photo courtesy of Arctia)
The development corporation that represents Qikiqtani Inuit is chartering a Finnish icebreaker to “provide general icebreaking support” in the region.
Finnish government-owned icebreaker operator Arctia will provide Qikiqtaaluk Horizon Arctic Services — a partnership between Qikiqtaaluk Corp. and an engineering firm in St. John’s — with a vessel tailored to offshore oil and gas operations.
“The Nordica brings world-class experience and additional capacity to the Arctic at an important time, as communities and industries across the North continue to grow,” said Harry Flaherty, president and CEO of Qikiqtaaluk Corp., in a news release issued on Tuesday.
Nunatsiaq News reached out to Qikiqtaaluk Corp. for more information about why it chartered the icebreaker, but did not receive a response.
The ship has been to Canada’s Arctic before, through the Baffinland Iron Mines Corp.’s Mary River Mine, according to the Maritime Executive, a maritime industry publication.
The Nordica will be active in Arctic waters before the end of 2026.
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