What ILS Ship Design & Engineering does

ILS Ship Design & Engineering (ILS Oy) is a Finnish naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy founded on June 13, 1988 in Turku, with a second office in Helsinki. The firm specializes in winter navigation, ice-class ship design, and icebreaker engineering, and offers a broader service portfolio spanning offshore support vessels, ferries, tugs, research ships, LNG and gas carriers, Arctic tankers, and oil spill response vessels. Its core technical platform combines standard naval architecture software (Autodesk AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, Solidworks, Autodesk Inventor, Cadmatic, NAPA Designer, DNV Nauticus, MultiSurf) with four granted proprietary innovations: the Reamer propulsion principle (a tilting rudder-based icebreaker maneuverability concept), the two-width hull concept for multipurpose icebreakers, the DIBB (Motorized Detachable Icebreaking Bow), and a jointly patented wave damping channel for oil recovery vessels. These innovations underpin the firm's globally recognized multipurpose icebreaker designs (Fennica, Nordica, Botnica), which ILS itself credits with reshaping modern icebreaker design thinking globally.

ILS operates a project-based professional services model, generating revenue from concept design, basic design, detailed design, classification design, feasibility studies, and repair/modification/conversion work delivered to shipping companies, shipyards, and other design offices. The go-to-market is direct, relationship-driven, and reputation-led with no paid advertising; the company website, conference and EU-funded research participation (WINMOS, SAFEWIN), and organic social presence (LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube) constitute the marketing surface. The customer base is split between Nordic government maritime agencies (Arctia, Finferries, Finnish Navy, Swedish Maritime Administration, Finnish Border Guard, Provincial Government of Åland, Korea Polar Research Institute) and large energy and resource operators (Equinor, Lukoil, Baffinland Iron Mines, KNCC, Neste, Knutsen OAS Shipping). The team has remained deliberately compact at 10-20 employees for over 30 years, supplemented by a network of strategic partners and research institutes (VTT, Aker Arctic, Moss Maritime), and the company maintains intellectual and financial independence from major maritime OEMs.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The firm is privately held, founder-led (CEO Kristian Lehtonen, Chairman Jyrki Lehtonen), and was awarded Kauppalehti 2025 Growth Company and Achievers certificates, placing it in the top 3% and top 9% of Finnish companies respectively on growth and profitability metrics. Recent strategic activity has focused on entering the carbon capture and storage value chain through a Naval Architect partnership with Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers, scaling the Canadian presence via five multipurpose icebreakers deployed under the Arctia-Baffinland charter, and productizing the DIBB detachable icebreaking bow system for the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.

Name

ILS Ship Design & Engineering

Legal name

ILS Oy

Website

https://ils.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ILS Ship Design & Engineering is a Finnish naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy specializing in ice-class vessel design, multipurpose icebreakers, and Arctic offshore engineering, serving shipowners, shipyards, and government maritime agencies worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Turku

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Design Consulting Services: ILS generates revenue through project-based consulting and design services for ship owners, shipyards, and design offices. Services include concept design, basic design, detailed design, classification design, and feasibility studies for various vessel types.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ILS Oy provides naval architecture and marine engineering design services for ships operating in ice and demanding conditions, covering concept, basic, detailed, and classification design. Core offerings include icebreaker design, offshore support vessel design, ferry and commuter vessel design, tugboat design, research and survey vessel design, oil spill response vessel design, LNG and gas carrier design, tanker design, repair/modification/conversion design, and dedicated ice technology consulting. The firm also licenses proprietary products such as the ILS Knight Design Series and the patented DIBB detachable icebreaking bow system.

Product overview

ILS Ship Design & Engineering is a traditional Finnish Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering company offering comprehensive ship design services including concept, basic, and detailed design. The company's core offering comprises multiple specialized design services: Icebreaker Design Services (featuring patented reamer propulsion technology), Offshore Support Vessel Design, Ferry and Commuter Vessel Design, Tugboat Design, Research and Survey Vessel Design, Oil Spill Response Vessel Design, LNG and Gas Carrier Design, Tanker Design, plus Repair/Modification/Conversion Design and Ice Technology Consulting. These services are supported by proprietary product families including the ILS Knight Design Series of standardized vessel concepts and the patented DIBB (Detachable Icebreaking Bow) system. The company operates globally with offices in Turku and Helsinki, selling ice technology expertise worldwide for decades.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Icebreaker Design Services Concept, basic, detailed, and classification design of icebreakers — harbor icebreakers, offshore icebreakers, multipurpose icebreakers, and escort icebreakers — incorporating the patented Reamer Propulsion Principle and Two-Width Hull Concept. For shipping companies, shipyards, and maritime authorities operating in ice-prone waters.
• Offshore Support Vessel Design Design of offshore support vessels (OSV) for supply operations, anchor handling, drilling support, dive support, firefighting, oil spill response, and ice management. For offshore operators, oil and gas companies, and shipyards building multipurpose Arctic/ice-class vessels.
• Ferry and Commuter Vessel Design Design of road ferries, commuter ferries, and small passenger ships, including ice-classified vessels for archipelago and Lakeland operations. For ferry operators, regional transport agencies, and shipyards.
• Tugboat Design Concept and basic design of ice-classified harbor tugs and harbor icebreakers with escort tug functionalities, based on numerous proprietary tugboat concepts. For harbor authorities, shipping companies, and tug operators.
• Research and Survey Vessel Design Design of research vessels, survey vessels, and hydrographic vessels, including ice-capable platforms for polar research institutes. For research institutes, hydrographic agencies, and defense/public research programs.
• Oil Spill Response Vessel Design Multipurpose vessel designs combining oil spill response capabilities with other operational profiles, such as icebreaking, escort towing, and emergency towing, incorporating the jointly patented wave damping channel concept. For environmental agencies, navies, coast guards, and emergency response operators.
• LNG and Gas Carrier Design Concept design of Arctic LNG carriers and gas carriers including a 155,000 m³ Arctic LNG carrier, LNG bunker vessel concepts, and 275m PNG Carrier concepts with cylinder cargo systems. For energy companies, gas shippers, and shipyards; 2023 DNV GASA certification awarded to KNCC's LCO2-EP tank system designed by ILS.
• Tanker Design Concept design of Arctic tankers including 80,000 DWT crude oil tankers and product carrier concepts for unrestricted Arctic service. For oil & gas majors, Arctic shippers, and shipyards (Equinor being a named client).
• Repair, Modification and Conversion Design Practical design services for vessel repair, modification, and conversion to extend lifecycles and change operational profiles, including ferry retrofits, icebreaker modifications, and buoy tender conversions. For ship owners, operators, and maritime authorities.
• Ice Technology Consulting Expert consulting services in ice technology sold to customers worldwide for decades, including ice class verification, ice-going capability assessments, and ice management function development (e.g., 'Duck walking' jointly developed with SMA). For shipping companies, classification societies, and maritime authorities.
• DIBB — Motorized Detachable Icebreaking Bow Patented detachable icebreaking bow system that connects to a pusher vessel for seasonal icebreaking operations and detaches so the pusher vessel can perform its own tasks, with propellers driven by permanent magnet motors under reamer areas. Enables cost-effective multipurpose use of vessels. For transport agencies, harbor authorities, and ship operators.
• ILS Knight Design Series Product family of proprietary standardized vessel designs — including Arctic OSV, tugboats, and escort tugs — available for sale or customization, built on ILS's decades of vessel design experience. For ship operators and shipyards seeking fast-start vessel concepts.

Quantifiable outcome

• ILS has designed ships that have been built for all the most common vessel types including icebreakers, offshore support vessels, oil spill response vessels, ferries, tugboats, research vessels, and naval vessels.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers (KNCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2023ILS is KNCC's Naval Architect partner for the development of LCO2 marine transportation and storage technology. KNCC is a joint venture between NYK Line (Japan) and Knutsen Group (Norway) focused on carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chains. ILS designed the LCO2-EP tank system concept which received DNV GASA certification in 2023. KNCC aims to own/manage/operate LCO2 carriers for CCS projects globally.
• Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) / ArctiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS served as icebreaking consultant for SMA in developing multipurpose icebreakers. Together they jointly developed the concept of multipurpose icebreakers effective both in icebreaking and as open water offshore vessels. SMA and ILS co-developed the 'Duck walking' ice management function using azimuth propulsion.
• Rauma Finnyards (now Rauma Marine Constructions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRauma Finnyards built the Fennica and Nordica multipurpose icebreakers designed by ILS. ILS participated as consultant to the client during construction and trials of the ships. This partnership established the multipurpose icebreaker concept globally.
• EquinorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquinor has been a strong partner in icebreaking research and product development. ILS developed various icebreaker concepts related to the offshore sector without prejudice in cooperation with Equinor. ILS also did conceptual design of an 80,000 DWT Arctic crude oil tanker for Equinor.
• Aker ArcticcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS cooperated with Aker Arctic on the WINMOS project and the Polaris icebreaker conceptual design. Aker Arctic served as co-designer on the Polaris project alongside ILS and the Finnish Traffic Infrastructure Agency.
• Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Väylävirasto)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS cooperated with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency on the WINMOS project (co-financed by EU), developing the maritime winter navigation system. The agency commissioned ILS for the Polaris icebreaker design and the DIBB Saimaa project. ILS acted as consultant for the agency on the Aranda research vessel renovation.
• FinFerriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS has a long relationship with FinFerries designing ferries including the Aura and Aurora ferries, commuter ferries Otava (with oil spill response capability), and is involved in the 2026–2027 modernization of Finferries' Järvi-Suomen lossit (Finnish Lakeland ferries).
• Arctia Icebreaking LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS has designed multiple icebreakers for Arctia, including the deployment of five ILS-designed multipurpose icebreakers in Canadian waters under the Arctia-Baffinland charter. ILS provides ongoing design and consulting services for Arctia's fleet including modifications and conversions.
• Olkiluodon Telakka / Uudenkaupungin TyövenemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerILS and Olkiluodon Telakka (later Uudenkaupungin Työvene) established a joint stock company for building and maintaining small vessels. This partnership resulted in the construction of the Pansio-class minelayers for the Finnish Navy and the Louhi multipurpose vessel.
• Finnish Environment Agency (SYKE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS acted as consultant to SYKE on the Louhi multipurpose vessel project and jointly patented the wave damping channel for oil recovery vessels with SYKE and Akateemiset Konsultit Oy. SYKE leads Finland's oil response capacity development in which ILS has been closely involved.
• Moss MaritimeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoss Maritime was selected as main designer for the TOR VIKING class icebreakers, with ILS designing and optimizing the icebreaking capabilities. ILS served as SMA's icebreaking consultant on this project.
• Finnish NavymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS designed the Pansio-class minelayers for the Finnish Navy and the Louhi multipurpose vessel operated by the Navy. The Navy joined the Louhi project as a partner to broaden the operational profile. Navy representatives played a key role in guiding the design work of the minelayers.
• Hanjin Heavy IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS provided design consulting and operational manual in ice conditions for the Araon research vessel built by Hanjin Heavy Industries for the Korea Polar Research Institute.
• EU Confidence Building Measures ProgrammeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS, through client Helsingin Hitsaus Oy, participated in an EU Confidence Building Measures Programme for the feasibility study of a ferry system for the Dnestr river in Moldova (2022–2023).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• DNV: Classification society and ILS's regulatory partner — DNV awarded the GASA certificate on KNCC's LCO2 carrier designed by ILS. Comparable as a maritime ecosystem participant influencing design standards and class rules that drive ILS's compliance engineering work.
• Meyer Turku: Major Finnish shipyard that executes designs produced by naval architecture firms including ILS. Comparable as a downstream customer/ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor; ILS provides design packages and engineering support to shipyards like Meyer.
• Rauma Marine Constructions: Finnish shipyard that built the ILS-designed Fennica and Nordica multipurpose icebreakers and continues to partner with ILS on Ropax and other projects. Comparable as a shipyard customer/ecosystem participant rather than a direct consulting peer.

Direct peers

• Aker Arctic: Finnish ice-class vessel design specialist and direct competitor. Aker Arctic and ILS have even co-designed projects (e.g., the Polaris icebreaker with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency), and both serve the same icebreaker and Arctic vessel market with overlapping naval architecture capabilities.
• Deltamarin: Finnish naval architecture and ship design consultancy offering concept, basic, and detailed design across vessel types. Directly comparable to ILS as a Nordic ship design services firm serving shipowners, shipyards, and design offices on similar project-based engagements.
• Elomatic: Finnish engineering and consulting firm with marine and offshore design capabilities. Comparable to ILS in offering ship design and engineering consulting services to marine and offshore clients, with a similar project-based professional services business model.
• Foreship: Nordic (Finnish/Estonian) ship design and engineering consultancy providing concept, basic, and detailed design as well as energy efficiency services. Operates in the same B2B naval architecture market as ILS, serving similar shipping company and shipyard customers.

Broad incumbents

• ABB Marine & Ports: Global supplier of marine electrical, automation, and propulsion systems with ship design support capabilities. Comparable to ILS in marine systems integration, but at far broader scope and scale as part of ABB's industrial portfolio.
• Wärtsilä: Major Finnish marine technology group offering ship design, marine systems, and lifecycle services at global scale. Overlaps with ILS in ship design and marine engineering, but operates as a broad incumbent across the full marine value chain rather than a focused design consultancy.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian marine technology provider delivering integrated ship systems, navigation, automation, and vessel design support. Comparable as a marine engineering peer but at much greater scale and breadth, with integrated solutions that overlap ILS's vessel integration work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUMde_FbP2phqVC6QAdBXBg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ils-oy
• Instagraminstagram.com/ils_ship_design

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ILS Ship Design & Engineering