Ruukki to deliver shipbuilding plates for polar supply and research vessel to be built at STX Finland's Rauma shipyard

Ruukki has signed a contract with STX Finland Oy's Rauma shipyard to deliver plates for a polar supply and research vessel, which has been ordered by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs. The plate deliveries, a total of 6,000 tonnes, will begin in August this year. The vessel will be delivered to the customer in spring 2012.

"Product quality, together with prompt, flexible deliveries, were important criteria in our choice of partner. Ruukki will deliver shipbuilding plates to the shipyard at the same pace as building the vessel progresses. This means minimum storage needs," says Jari Kujala, Vice President, Sourcing, at STX Finland Oy's Rauma shipyard.

"The customer benefits from our sound track record of deliveries for vessels used in extreme conditions. Polar conditions impose high quality requirements on the steel material used," notes Jyrki Keronen, Senior Vice President, Energy, Offshore, Marine, Paper, at Ruukki.

STX Finland Oy, which is part of the STX Europe group, is the world's leading supplier of specialised vessels including ice-breakers, passenger ships and ferries. Ruukki Engineering has long worked together with STX Finland, most recently by supplying shipbuilding plates and profiles for the cruise vessels Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.