The Swedish Maritime Administration is reducing the number of icebreakers

This is according to a press release from the Swedish Maritime Administration. Last year, the Swedish Maritime Administration made a loss of SEK 600 million. This year, the loss is expected to increase by SEK 200 million. The Swedish Maritime Administration's appropriations have not been increased for several decades, which has eroded its finances. Now it feels compelled to take a series of measures that will have consequences for Swedish shipping and the availability of ports.

Through the disposal of vessels, the possibility of heavy fairway maintenance and surveying is halved. An icebreaker is being laid up, which risks leading to closed fairways and ports. As shipping accounts for nine out of ten transports of Swedish imports and exports, longer waiting times for icebreakers and the risk of closed ports can affect the Swedish basic industry in the north.

Two out of five helicopter bases for sea and air rescue are planned to be closed. This will mean longer response times and that the Air Force will not be able to train as it does today.

"The measures decided will have a direct impact on both our customers and our employees. The measures are not something we want to implement, but we are in a serious financial situation that makes it necessary,” says Erik Eklund, Director General.

Industry representatives have reacted to the plans announced by the Swedish Maritime Administration.

“It is completely unthinkable that we should put an icebreaker on land in a situation where we need more. As the ports are a cornerstone of Sweden's total defense, the state should step in and take greater cost responsibility, including by taking the entire cost of SEK 300 million for icebreaking," says Monika Przedpelska Öström, head of the trade organization Transportföretagen Hamn.

“We take the Swedish Maritime Administration's decision very seriously. The cuts will have a direct impact on the Swedish basic industry in the north and the many communities that depend on it. In the long run, this risks having a significant impact on Sweden's growth opportunities and competitiveness,” says Elin Swedlund, head of transport and infrastructure at the Swedish Forest Industries Federation.

To save the situation, the Swedish Maritime Administration is requesting an annual increase in government funding of SEK 250 million, the possibility of increasing fees by SEK 250 million and that the government's investments in maritime infrastructure and the shipping fleet should amount to SEK 35 billion over a ten-year period. This also includes the operation of the icebreakers in the same way that the state is responsible for snow clearance on roads and railways. The sum corresponds to three percent of the state's investments in operation and maintenance of transport systems over the next twelve years.

Lennart Håkansson

editor@northswedenbusiness.com