Canadian Seaspan Yard Signs Deal For Arctic Security Cutters, Joining US and Finnish Builders The push for new U.S. icebreakers continues to take shape. Canadian builder Seaspan has now joined the effort by providing its Multi-Purpose Icebreaker design and associated supply chain to American and Finnish shipyards to build six icebreakers. Construction is expected to start in 2026 with initial deliveries by 2028.
U.S. Signs Contracts With Foreign and Domestic Builders to Finally Launch Long-Delayed Icebreaker Fleet Overhaul The United States Coast Guard has signed contracts with Finland’s Rauma Marine Constructions and Louisiana’s Bollinger Shipyards to build six Arctic Security Cutter icebreakers, marking the culmination of a decades-long effort to modernize its aging icebreaker fleet. Two ships will be built in Finland for delivery in 2028. Four more vessels will follow in the United States, with the first domestic cutter due in 2029.
U.S. Coast Guard to Receive 11 New Icebreakers Under Landmark Finland Deal The U.S. Coast Guard appears set to operate one of the most capable polar icebreaker fleets within a few short years. The service will receive 11 medium Arctic Security Cutter vessels under a U.S.-Finland deal unveiled by the White House last Friday. The first five vessels could be delivered by the end of 2028.
Finnish and Canadian Firms Partner with American Shipyard to Pitch Icebreaker Design for U.S. Coast Guard Within weeks of securing funding to build around a half dozen new icebreakers several U.S. shipyards as well as builders in Canada and Finland have thrown their hats in the ring to construct the new vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard. The capabilities of the different icebreaker designs and political considerations will likely determine which consortium is awarded a contract.
U.S. Coast Guard Starts Construction of First New Heavy Icebreaker in 50 Years A decade in the making the U.S. Coast Guard is set to finally begin work on its first heavy icebreaker in 50 years. Construction is expected to take a minimum of five years, though additional delays could push delivery in the 2030s.
Steel Cutting for New US Icebreaker Begins, But Delays Continue to Stack Up Says New Government Report The US Coast Guard icebreaker program continues to move forward, albeit far behind the original timeline. Steel cutting on prototype modules began earlier this month, but a new Government Accountability Office report pushes readiness of the first vessel into 2028 – with additional delays possible.
