- Coast Guard Eyes Finnish-Built Icebreakers to Boost Arctic Fleet.
- U.S. Considers €2.5B Icebreaker Deal with Finnish Shipyard RMC.
- Medium and Heavy Icebreakers Proposed in U.S.–Finland Negotiations.
In a bid that is likely to speed up significantly the expansion of U.S. Arctic operations, the U.S. Coast Guard is said to be negotiating with Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) for the purchase of three to five medium-sized icebreakers, reports gCaptain.
Possible Faster Delivery Timeline
RMC reportedly would be able to deliver a mid-sized icebreaker, from a proven design, in only 36 months. This schedule aligns with the reported U.S. Coast Guard plan to have the first ship enter service before President Trump’s present term ends.
Finalised, the agreement would significantly enhance the rate of renewal of U.S. icebreaker fleets, which have experienced significant delays in U.S. programs.
Current U.S. Icebreaker Development Running into Delays
The sole heavy icebreaker under development in the U.S.—the Polar Security Cutter, is being constructed by Mississippi-based Bollinger Shipyards. Completion won’t be until at least mid-2030. The development has run into continued delays and escalating costs, with the cost amount almost doubling from $746 million back in 2019 to $1.9 billion.
Recent RFI Emphasises Urgency
A Request for Information (RFI) was last week released by the U.S. Coast Guard to domestic and international shipyards to acquire medium icebreaker construction with a three-year delivery window. The RFI highlights increasing urgency in building up Arctic readiness.
Diplomatic Momentum Between the U.S. and Finland
Icebreaker cooperation was high on the agenda during the recent visit of Finnish President Alexander Stubb to the White House. After meeting with President Trump, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen reaffirmed that negotiations are going well, particularly after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Finland’s Global Icebreaker Expertise
Finnish shipyards boast experience, having built 60% of the world’s icebreakers. Last week, Finland’s Aker Arctic revealed its involvement in planning the next-generation Baltic Sea assist icebreaker.
RMC’s shipyard in western Finland, on the Baltic Sea, has a good record of constructing ice-capable ships. It is now building ice-class corvettes for the Finnish Navy. The yard’s own steel fabrication and ability to construct several vessels at once could be a competitive advantage.
Canadian Expansion Adds to Momentum
Canada also revealed last month plans to construct two giant icebreakers. Seaspan Shipyards in British Columbia will build one of them, and Davie Shipbuilding in Quebec will build the other. Davie, which owns Helsinki Shipyard after buying it in 2023, will start building in Finland and then transfer the project to Canada.
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Source: gCaptain
