The principal objective of this work package is to obtain an initial business planning perspective document and forecasting of financial commitments over the construction and the operational life of the icebreaking research vessel. This encompasses two phases:

• First to define verifiable estimates of total construction costs, scientific research services and forecast future escalation of running costs (fuel, crewing, logistics) over a at least 15 Years+ time perspective
  
  
• The second phase is work towards an initial business planning perspective with a set of initial proposed scenarios for development and operation of the vessel and a financial contribution model.  

The verified estimates and business planning perspective will be achieved by close consultation with all ERICON partners an ERICON Financial advisory panel will be assembled to provide the principle recommendations. The panel will be supported by a dedicated project manager (finance) at the ESF who will coordinate the discussions and responses of the panel. The panel will work in close consultation with the BMBF funded national project and the private sector companies to collate information on construction and running costs and provide recommendations to the ERICON stakeholder council and their participating agencies and ministries on funding integration models. The recommendations of the financial and
business perspective report will enable decisions on the construction and implementation of the facility by the ministries and funding agencies.

Work package 4 in this preparatory phase project will enable the conditions for committing financial resources and opening a tender process for the vessel.