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’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.
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.
“Icebreaking Gap” Will Require Coast Guard to Acquire Commercial Icebreaker Says New US Arctic Plan A new implementation plan for the US Coast Guard’s Arctic strategy clears a path for acquisition of a commercial icebreaker to overcome the “icebreaking capacity gap.” The report also calls for expanded exercises and operations in the Arctic, which in conjunction with a new White House Arctic plan may indicate plans for a future Freedom of Navigation Operation in the region.
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.
No Delivery Date As Timeline For New US Coast Guard Icebreaker Continues to Slip The US Coast Guard does not currently have a date for completion of the new heavy icebreaker. Compounding delays could push delivery toward the end of this decade, or possibly beyond.
New US Icebreaker Delayed Until 2027, Russia Orders 6th and 7th Nuclear Icebreaker The United States’ new polar-class icebreaker faces further delays pushing delivery from the original timeline for 2024 into 2027. The Coast Guard is now looking to purchase an existing commercial icebreaker for $150m to bridge the gap. Meanwhile, Russia’s Rosatom signed construction contracts for two more nuclear icebreakers.
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. Looking to Acquire 10 Additional Icebreakers, Possibly from Finland Following controversial remarks about “buying Greenland” last year, President Trump again offers off the cuff comments about U.S. policy in the region suggesting the country will get ten new icebreakers.
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.
China Reveals Details of Newly Designed Heavy Icebreaker China aims to further expand its icebreaking capabilities and revealed initial design details for its first heavy polar icebreaker.
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. Renews Warning Against China in Arctic, Releases New Details on Icebreaker Just days after Secretary of State Pompeo warned about Russia’s and China’s activity in the Arctic during the Arctic Council meeting, U.S. military officials renewed comments about security threats in the region. The U.S. Coast Guard aims to respond to those challenges with a fleet of new icebreakers.
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.
