US Signs Icebreaker Pact with Finland, Canada

American, Canadian and Finish officials committed to the joint development, construction and maintenance of polar icebreakers with the signing of the Icebreaker Collaborative Effort Pact in Washington today. The collaboration comes as the U.S. and its adversaries, such as Russia and China, eye the Arctic for new resource and shipping lane opportunities.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas spoke about the great power competition, detailing the progress of the Russian and Chinese icebreaker efforts and what their Arctic capabilities would mean for the U.S. if left uncontested in his opening remarks at the pact signing. Yielding the Arctic reserves of energy, rare earth minerals and sea lanes would have severe consequences for the American people, Mayorkas said.

“Simply put: Russia and China are strengthening their capabilities in the Arctic, and we cannot afford to allow our own United States Coast Guard and United States Navy to fall behind,” Mayorkas said.

American icebreakers USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) and USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10), constructed in the 20th century and overtasked with missions in the North and South Poles, are dated and stretched thin. Russian and Chinese fleets of icebreakers have been constructed more recently and are expanding, with Mayorkas noting the launch of the latest Project 22220 icebreaker Chukotka last week. Three Chinese icebreakers sailed to the Arctic over the summer in a first that analysts claim is a signal of Beijing’s intentions for the region.

U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker efforts have been mired in delays and accidents at sea. The delivery date of the agency’s first Polar Security Cutter has been pushed back three years behind schedule to 2028. In August, Healy had to cancel its Arctic deployment in August due to an electrical fire.

With this challenge in mind, Washington, Ottawa and Helsinki pushed for the ICE Pact on the sidelines of the NATO Washington Summit over the summer. In addition to research and development of new polar icebreakers, the agreement includes an informational exchange, workforce development collaboration and engagement with allies and partners. The three countries would extend an invitation to allies to purchase the new icebreaker design from their shipyards, according to a July White House press release. The ICE Pact also highlighted the need for long-term orders as a result of the costs of shipbuilding and capital investment into the yards.

“Finally, our signatures today send a clear message to our allies, adversaries, and rivals alike: we are committed to keeping the polar regions peaceful, prosperous and open for all,” Mayorkas said.