US, Canada, and Finland Double Down on Joint Icebreaker Effort in DC Meeting The US aims to further revitalize its shipbuilding capacity and Arctic icebreaker fleet under the trilateral ICE Pact. Officials from the three countries met in DC this week to discuss plans for 2026. Earlier this year the pact had resulted in a commitment to construct 11 new icebreakers for the US with participation from shipyards in all three countries.
Norwegian Armed Forces and the Russian FSB Met for Border Cooperation Talks On Tuesday, the chiefs of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters and the Russian FSB’s Border Directorate for the Western Arctic Region met in Kirkenes. "This meeting activity is important as one of the very few remaining communication channels between Norway and Russia," says the NJHQ Chief.
Chinese Research Vessels Enter U.S. Extended Continental Shelf in Arctic, Coast Guard Monitors with Icebreaker ‘Healy’ Chinese activity in the American Arctic continues to draw the attention of the U.S. Coast Guard. Two Chinese research vessels entering the Extended Continental Shelf now triggered a response by icebreakerHealyto monitor and shadow the vessels.
U.S. Coast Guard’s New Icebreaker ’Storis’ Departs on Maiden Voyage Bolstering Presence in Arctic The U.S. Coast Guard has taken a first key step in strengthening its Arctic posture. IcebreakerStorisis joining the USCG fleet after a six months conversion process to turn the commercial ice-capable supply vessel into an icebreaker. The vessel will be a key interim asset while the U.S. awaits construction of the new heavy polar icebreaker.
Canada Bolsters Arctic Capabilities Ordering Two Heavy Polar Icebreakers, Teams up with Finnish Yard Sending a clear signal for Canada’s leadership role in the Arctic, the country announced contracts for two new heavy polar icebreakers. The vessels draw on the collaborative effort behind the recently-announced ICE Pact between Canada, Finland and the U.S. Both ships are expected to enter into service by 2030.
U.S. Polar Icebreaker Faces New Delays and Cost Overruns Report Says The U.S. Polar Security Cutter program continues to face headwinds. Five years after signing a construction contract the vessel continues to exist only on the drawing board with the design still waiting to be finalized. Delivery will now occur no earlier than 2029.
U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaker Faces Delays With No Funding Request for 2025, Aims to Acquire Commercial Icebreaker The U.S. Coast Guard did not request additional funding for the Polar Security Cutter icebreaker program in 2025, while it revises the program schedule hinting at further delays. To secure additional icebreaker capacity in the short-term it earmarked $125 million to acquire a commercial icebreaker, likelyM/V Aiviq.
Coast Guard Icebreaker Healy Reaches North Pole As Part of Greater US Arctic Engagement The Arctic continues to gain greater attention in US policy circles and it sent the icebreakerHealyto patrol its maritime border with Russia and venture to the North Pole this summer. However, hard assets, such as icebreakers, remain in short supply for now.
Norwegian-Russian Border Cooperation Works Well Despite the War in Ukraine Last week, the Chief of the Norwegian Joint Operations Headquarters met with the Chief of the FSB Border Directorate. The meeting took place on the Russian side of the border and covered co-ordination about coast and border guards as well as SAR (search and rescue) in the border areas.
Joint Online Exercise on Arctic Maritime Emergency Response The Arctic Coast Guard Forum and EPPR are holding the exercise to enhance circumpolar collaboration in the event of a marine search and rescue or oil spill incident in the Arctic.
Russian Corporation Buys Norwegian Engine Factory, May Affect Coast Guard Contract The Russian corporation TMH Group is acquiring Bergen Engines in Norway. Bergen Engines produces large ship engines for a series of Norwegian coast guard vessels and the Norwegian Armed Forces are now assessing how the acquisition may affect contracts.
U.S. Steps Up Arctic Engagement as Congress Authorizes Three Additional Polar Icebreakers In a bipartisan effort the U.S. Congress has passed legislation that will substantially upgrade the Coast Guard’s capabilities, including in the Arctic with three additional Polar Security Cutters.
U.S. Cancels All Arctic Operations After Icebreaker Healy Suffers Engine Fire The U.S. Coast Guard has canceled its Arctic patrol mission after the icebreakerHealyexperienced an engine room fire. This leaves the U.S. without surface vessel presence in the region during the summer of 2020, highlighting the country’s limited icebreaking capabilities.
U.S. to Speed Up Its Icebreaker Program, May Develop Nuclear Arctic Vessels The U.S. government aims to accelerate its Arctic icebreaker program and is evaluating the need for armed vessels and the feasibility of constructing nuclear icebreakers.
U.S. Will Not Increase Presence in Arctic Until 2025 The U.S. new icebreaker will only rarely travel to the Arctic, Coast Guard Commandant says. At the same time National Security Advisor says the U.S. will challenge Russia’s military influence in the region. Are the U.S. Arctic ambitions all bark and no bite?
U.S. Coast Guard Awards Contract for New Polar Class Icebreaker The U.S. Coast Guard finally looks set to procure a new heavy icebreaker. But the first roadblocks, including questions about a low-price offer and lack of technical know-how, appear on the horizon.
Canada and Russia Looking to Deploy Surveillance Drones in the Arctic The two Arctic countries aim to increase their surveillance capabilities in the region and are actively developing and acquiring drone technology, but experts caution that operating drones in the region’s harsh environment will be no easy feat.
EU Millions to High North Search and Rescue The Joint Rescue Coordination Center North Norway will lead a major international network project about search, rescue and oil spill protection in the Arctic.
Svalbard: Preparing Extreme Pumping Operation Using Small Boats The diesel onboard the ‘Northguider’ vessel that recently ran aground on Svalbard is to be offloaded using smaller boats. The Coast Guard prepares an extreme operation.
Norway – A Preparedness Superpower in the High North? Changes in activity patterns in the High North requires us to think critically about the preparedness resources we will need in the coming years. The question is who will take the responsibility, professor Odd Jarl Borch writes.
Experts About Svalbard Casualty: Verging on Reckless SAR experts are skeptical: While it is not illegal to fish in the waters where the ‘Northguider’ trawler ran aground in northern Svalbard, it nevertheless operates at the outer limits of what can be considered responsible. – It is a legitimate question, says Managing Director Arne Birkeland of Opelio AS, the shipowner.
Arctic Cruise Ship Runs Aground in Canada’s Northwest Passage The Russian-flagged passenger ship Akademik Ioffe ran aground along Canada’s Arctic Northwest Passage with 162 people aboard early on Friday, August 24th.
IMO Approves New Shipping Corridors in Bering Sea to Improve Safety The International Maritime Organization, part of the United Nations, approved a joint proposal by the United States and Russia to establish two-way shipping lanes across the Bering Sea and into the Arctic Ocean.
