29.11.2023
The Canadian shipbuilding company Davie announced on November 3 that it had completed the business transaction of Helsinki Shipyard Oy. On Monday, November 27, we gathered together to celebrate this milestone, which is significant both nationally and internationally – and not least for the Helsinki shipyard itself.
After the shipyard has been transferred to Canadian ownership, we can now approach our future with confidence.
At the Celebration Event on 27.11. mother nature did her best to convince those present of the necessity of icebreakers in the future as well. In the bitterly cold weather, the shipyard’s dry dock offered shelter from the wind blowing outside, but despite the heart-warming speeches and hot mulled wine, the cold forced its way through the layers of clothes of the participants.
At the celebratory event at the Helsinki dockyard, among others there were e.g. Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman and Mayor of Helsinki Juhana Vartiainen. Minister Wille Rydman was the first speaker to take the stage, followed by Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen, Canada’s Ambassador to Finland Jeanette Stovel, Quebec’s representative in London Line Rivard, Davie CEO James Davies, Alex Vicefield and Managing Director Kim Salmi. The language of the speeches was English, although French and Finnish were also heard. The speeches highlighted e.g. the importance of the business transaction for both shipyards and the good relations between Finland and Canada, without forgetting Quebec’s significant contribution as an enabler of the trade. The city of Helsinki received well-deserved thanks for its support during the transaction process.
Warm thanks to everyone who participated!