A series of welding tests were made on 35 mm thick F500W high strength steel. This specific steel grade is developed for use in arctic conditions, especially in shipbuilding, and it has excellent impact toughness at temperatures down to -60°C. Submerged arc welding tests were performed using solid and flux-cored welding wire keeping the heat-input at levels typically recommended for thermo mechanically processed highstrengthsteels. Process improvement trials were even made using electrode extension (EE) allowing for higher melt-on rates without any increase in the heat input.However, as the chemical composition of F500W allows for higher heat input without risk for excessive grain growth, tests at higher heat inputs were also made as reference for additional ways to increase productivity. Three fundamental means for improving productivity were analyzed in this study: 1) use of solid or flux-cored wire, 2) effect of groove preparation, and 3) use ofelectrode extension. These all can be introduced without changes in heat input, and hence implementation to existing production systems is easy, economical and quick. Highest increase in productivity is gained by using electrode extension with optimized groove geometry. In the studied thickness of 35 mm, the number of runs was decrease by 60 % from 22 to 9 without increase in the heat input and with approved mechanical properties for this specific steel. Based on the outcome of this study, submerged arc welding can successfully be used for joining of this high strength steel with approved mechanical properties and high productivity.