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Sampo is a Finnish icebreaker built in 1960 in Helsinki and now stationed in Kemi. The Sampo has a long and distinguished service record. The massive vessel, which was completed in 1961, was built to operate in extreme arctic conditions.
In the northern part of the Gulf of Bothnia it kept lanes free for shipping for nearly 30 years. Its predecessor of the same name (1898–1960) was the first icebreaker in Europe with a propeller in the bow and stern. The ship is now used for tourist cruises. Town of Kemi bought Sampo from the National Board of Navigation in the year 1987.
The price of the vessel was 19 pennies per kilogram i.e. 1 million Finnish Mark (about 167 000 €). Just by making a purchase decision Sampo got the Finnish Tourist Boards reward of Best Tourism Product of the year 1987