US Coast Guard acquires commercially procured icebreaker

The US Coast Guard (USCG) is acquiring a commercially procured icebreaker to modify and deploy for USCG icebreaking missions, the service confirmed on 14 August.

The USCG is acquiring Aiviq , a US-registered ship originally built to serve as an Arctic oil-exploration support vessel, USCG officials said in a statement.

With modifications, the ship will have an icebreaking capability to operate as a USCG medium polar icebreaker, according to the coastguard.

The USCG was appropriated USD125 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024 to purchase a commercially available icebreaker and Aiviq is the only current US-built commercial vessel meeting necessary icebreaking standards, USCG officials said.

The vessel will reach initial operational capability (IOC) in two years, USCG officials added.

The modified commercial icebreaker is seen as an interim gap-filler while the USCG modernises and augments its icebreaking fleet.

The USCG has been the sole provider of America's polar icebreaking capability since 1965 and is seeking to increase its icebreaking fleet with new Polar Security Cutters (PSCs), USCG officials said.

The USCG and US Navy (USN) are jointly managing the PSC acquisition programme, with the USCG planning to invest about USD11.6 billion for the acquisition, operations, and maintenance of these cutters, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in its report, Coast Guard: Complete Performance and Operational Data Would Better Clarify Arctic Resource Needs , released on 13 August.