The New Race for Polar Region: Trump to Order 40 New Icebreakers

Thu Jan 30 2025
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Key points

  • Trump also shared his thoughts about Canada joining the US
  • Canada wants to be part of icebreakers deal
  • Fleet has one big icebreaker, one medium, and one “bridging strategy” icebreaker
  • Helsinki Shipyard is the recognised leader in icebreaker construction outside of Russia

ISLAMABAD: President Donald Trump, in a speech last week in North Carolina, suggested that the US would soon be ordering 40 big icebreakers for the Coast Guard and that Canada wants in on the deal.

Asked about US trade relations with Britain, Trump shared his thoughts on why Canada should become the 51st US state, according to the Maritime Executive.

He said the US is wasting too much money to Canada on trade deficits, and joining the US would mean lower taxes (and no US tariffs) for Canadians.

“Why are we paying all that money to Canada when, you know, we could use it ourselves, right? You know, we ordered — we will order about 40 Coast Guard big icebreakers. Big ones.

Canadian interest

He further said, “And all of a sudden, Canada wants a piece of the deal. I say, ‘Why are we doing that?'” Trump said. “I mean, I like doing that if they’re a state, but I don’t like doing that if they’re a nation. . .. I would love to see Canada be the 51st state.”

The US Coast Guard currently has funds from Congress for a scheduled three-vessel order for the Polar Security Cutter program, built by Bollinger.

The first was approved in late December after years of delay, and the programme faces cost overruns.

The service’s last icebreaker research suggested a need for three more medium icebreakers in addition to the current program of record, and its regional icebreaker fleet for the Great Lakes is also advancing in age.

Current fleet

At present, the service’s seagoing fleet has one big icebreaker and one medium icebreaker – both aging – and one “bridging strategy” icebreaker, a commercial conversion that will fill gaps until delivery of the first Polar Security Cutter.

Canada has had prior involvement with America’s icebreaker ambitions. Under the previous administration, last year, the US, Canada, and Finland announced an icebreaker technology-transfer initiative called the ICE Pact (Icebreaker Collaboration Effort).

Helsinki Shipyard

Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard is the recognized leader in icebreaker construction outside of Russia, and it was recently purchased by Davie, the Canadian shipyard that holds Canada’s “program icebreaker” contract.

Davie has promised to invest in a US facility to build icebreakers for the international market, once it secures the right shipyard partner.

“It is about providing the capability for like-minded nations to uphold international rules, norms, and standards to sustain peace and stability in the Arctic and Antarctic regions for generations to come,” the three nations said in a statement at the time.

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