The US Coast Guard announced that contracts for its new Arctic Security Cutters were awarded on Dec. 26 to Rauma Marine Constructions of Finland and Bollinger Shipyards of Louisiana, marking a significant step in revitalizing US icebreaking capabilities. Rauma Marine Constructions and Bollinger Shipyards will build Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), a new class of medium polar icebreakers intended to significantly expand America’s operational presence in the Arctic, supporting national security, maritime sovereignty, and strategic mobility in increasingly contested polar regions.

The cutters are designed to operate independently in harsh Arctic conditions and will support US sovereignty, secure shipping lanes, protect energy and mineral resources, and counter adversary activity in the region. The first vessels are expected to be delivered as early as 2028, with construction split between Finland and the United States under the trilateral Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact with Canada and Finland, reports Nick Mordowanec of Military.com. US officials said the program is critical to defending Alaska’s maritime borders, strengthening Arctic security, and ensuring American strategic and economic interests in the rapidly evolving polar region. Mordowanec writes:

The U.S. Coast Guard is updating its fleet, adding up to six Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) icebreaker ships as part of joint security efforts between the United States and Finland.

USCG made the announcement Monday evening that the contracts for the ships, designed to break through and navigate ice-covered waters, were awarded Dec. 26 to Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) of Rauma, Finland, and Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, L.L.C. of Lockport, Louisiana. U.S. officials said the cutters will defend U.S. sovereignty, secure critical shipping lanes, protect energy and mineral resources, and counter adversaries’ presence in the Arctic region.

Their presence will also allow the Coast Guard to control, secure and defend the U.S. Alaskan borders, facilitate maritime commerce vital to economic prosperity and strategic mobility, and respond to any regional crises. […]

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