Last week, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem met senior representatives from Canada and Finland at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC to host the inaugural Principals Meeting of the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact and to reaffirm the commitment to work together on building icebreakers, essential for the defense of America’s Arctic sovereignty.
Together with Finland Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto and Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman, Noem signed a joint statement of intent on the first anniversary of ICE Pact. She also announced the release of the ICE U.S. National Workforce Development Plan designed to help rebuild American shipbuilding workforce.
“To thrive in the Arctic, we need icebreakers,” Noem said. “We need to invest and bring manufacturing back home to American shores. That’s why ICE Pact is such a big deal.”
The announcements come at a time when more countries are trying to access resources and operate in the polar region. As an Arctic nation, the U.S. relies heavily on the Coast Guard to protect our Nation’s sovereignty, safeguard our citizens from threats and sustain economic resources. This year alone, Congress committed nearly $25 billion to the Coast Guard, with $9 billion allocated for icebreakers, shore infrastructure and additional resources.
More icebreakers are coming
While the Service recently brought the Coast Guard Cutter Storis online – the first icebreaker in 25 years – the U.S. total polar fleet is three, a much smaller fleet than other Arctic nations. This summer the Coast Guard observed heightened adversary maritime activity in the U.S. Arctic. Not long after Storis was commissioned, Chinese vessels were monitored operating near U.S. Arctic waters, and the Coast Guard responded immediately. In October, the White House issued a Memorandum on Arctic Security Cutters emphasizing the urgency to deliver additional icebreakers to the fleet, which Force Design 2028 has made a priority.
That’s why ICE Pact matters. By partnering with Canada and Finland – countries with deep experience in icebreaking – we will further strengthen the position of U.S. shipbuilders as producers of uniquely capable, world-class vessels. This means Coast Guard members working in the Arctic will have better support and more modern, reliable vessels.
More jobs and stronger shipyards
In addition, the ICE U.S. National Workforce Development Plan aims to revitalize American shipyards, a move designed to bring thousands of well-paying jobs to shipbuilding towns across the country. Key objectives include a focus on recruitment, retention and training a skilled workforce, to include identifying apprenticeships to grow skilled workers.
Finnish and Canadian companies are already working directly with U.S. yards to build icebreakers. Meanwhile, Davie Shipbuilding of Canada is planning to invest $1 billion into a U.S. shipyard for icebreaker production. That cooperation means faster delivery of reliable ships – and less strain on the fleet.
A safer, better-supported Arctic mission
Finland’s Puisto put it simply: operating in the high north requires respect, resilience, and top-tier capability. By sharing technology, research, and industrial capacity, ICE Pact will help ensure Coast Guard crews have ships that can handle the toughest Arctic conditions. “We share a basic vision that a commitment in ensuring the Arctic remain open, free, secure and navigable for generations to come,” he said.
All three countries are investing heavily to protect their sovereignty and respond to threats in the Arctic, Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman added, noting that Canada is committing $30 billion to bolster security in the region.
For the Coast Guard, this all translates into more coordinated operations with allies and a clearer path to modern, reliable cutters and mission success.
To learn more about the Coast Guard’s arctic efforts, visit www.uscg.mil.
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