U.S. Coast Guard Green-Lights Construction of First New Heavy Icebreaker
After years of delays, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is finally moving forward with the construction of a new heavy polar icebreaker. This vessel, named Polar Sentinel, will be the first of its kind built in the United States in over fifty years. The approval to begin construction was granted on December 19, marking a significant milestone for the USCG. The project has faced numerous challenges, including design issues and cost overruns, but the agency is now ready to embark on this critical program. The new icebreaker is essential for maintaining U.S. presence in the Arctic, especially as other nations, like China and Russia, expand their icebreaking capabilities.
Challenges and Delays in Icebreaker Construction
The journey to construct the Polar Sentinel has not been smooth. The project has been plagued by delays and rising costs. Originally, the construction contract was awarded to VT Halter Marine in April 2019. However, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) now estimates the total cost of the ship at $1.9 billion, significantly higher than initial projections. VT Halter Marine has since been acquired by Bollinger Shipyards and renamed Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding. The approval to start construction is a relief for the USCG, which has been waiting for this moment for years.
Technical challenges have also contributed to the delays. The construction of a heavy icebreaker requires specialized skills that have not been utilized since the 1970s when the last U.S. icebreakers, Polar Star and Polar Sea, were built. The hull of the new icebreaker must be thicker to withstand the harsh conditions of thick ice. Additionally, a special steel alloy is needed to ensure flexibility in extreme cold. The internal structure of the ship will also be more complex, featuring closely spaced stiffeners to prevent crumpling upon impact with large ice floes. These factors make the construction process both challenging and time-consuming.
The Importance of the Polar Sentinel
The Polar Sentinel will serve as the lead vessel in the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program. Following its construction, two additional ships are planned, with an average cost of about $1.6 billion each. The CBO estimates that the total cost for the three-ship program could reach $5.1 billion, which is significantly higher than the USCG’s current estimate of $3.2 billion. Operating and supporting these heavy icebreakers is expected to cost around $12.4 billion from 2029 to 2063, when the ships will be in service.
As the USCG prepares for the arrival of the Polar Sentinel, it must also address the challenges posed by aging vessels. The heavy icebreaker Polar Star has been in service since 1976, and the medium icebreaker Healy has been operational since 2000. To bridge the gap until the new fleet arrives, the USCG recently acquired the commercial polar icebreaker Aiviq for $125 million. This acquisition aims to enhance operational presence in the Arctic and ensure that the U.S. can maintain a year-round presence in both the eastern and western Arctic, as well as in Antarctica.
The construction of the Polar Sentinel is a crucial step for the U.S. Coast Guard. It reflects the need for modern icebreakers to counter growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic. With the approval to begin construction, the USCG is poised to enhance its capabilities and ensure a stronger presence in this vital region.
