At a ceremony held at the Uusikaupunki shipyard, the first multipurpose patrol vessel built for the Finnish Border Guard(Rajavartiolaitos – Gränsbevakningsväsendet) was officially named. The vessel was named Karhu, Finnish for “bear“.
The presentation of the Karhu vessel
The ceremony was presided over by the ship’s godmother, Mrs. Suzanne Innes-Stubb, who mentioned the symbolism of the name and the country’s commitment to maritime safety. The delivery of the patrol vessel is scheduled for winter 2026.
Our two-ship project has reached an important milestone with the naming ceremony of the first ship.
Karhu is tangible proof of Meyer Turku’s ability to manage shipbuilding projects from start to finish in our partner shipyards, while still meeting our high quality standards.
Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku.
This order represents the largest single investment in the history of the Finnish Border Guard. The vessels are designed to operate on the high seas for approximately 330 days a year, strengthening surveillance, rescue and environmental protection in the country’s waters.
Source and photo: Meyer Turku
