United States ordered a heavy icebreaker for the first time in 50 years

For the first time in 50 years, the United States Coast Guard has placed an order for the construction of a heavy icebreaker as part of the renewal of the fleet of this type of vessel.

This is reported by the Navy Times.

In total, the Coast Guard has ordered the initial three heavy icebreakers under the Polar Security Cutter program.

In addition, Bollinger Shipyards (which has facilities in Seattle, Washington) was selected as a builder of this type of vessel.

“Securing the green light for full production underscores the confidence the U.S. government places in Bollinger to deliver the nation’s first heavy polar icebreaker in nearly 50 years,” said Ben Bordelon, company’s CEO.

It should be noted that the US Coast Guard currently has only one heavy polar icebreaker, the USCGC Polar Star, which was built almost 50 years ago.

The other vessel, the USCGC Healy, is a medium icebreaker and is currently unable to perform its functions due to damage from a fire last July.

In addition, to maintain the capabilities of the icebreaker fleet, in December 2024, the Coast Guard acquired a commercially available light polar icebreaker, the first addition to the fleet in 25 years.

The first icebreaker is expected to be completed after 2030, potentially restoring the US fleet of these vessels, which have been under serious degradation for many years.

It is worth noting that recently, as part of the acceleration of the construction of icebreakers for the US Coast Guard, the US government has considered the possibility of cooperation with foreign shipbuilders.

For example, the United States considered the Finnish shipyard in Rauma as one of the contenders for the construction of new icebreakers for the US Coast Guard.

The potential vessels will include 3-5 medium icebreakers to replace the only medium icebreaker in the US Coast Guard today, the USCGC Healy (WAGB-20).