US, Finland agree to icebreaker shipbuilding deal
Healy , pictured here operating in the Gulf of Alaska, is one of only three Arctic-capable icebreakers. (Janes/Michael Fabey)
US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Finland to build four Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) in Finnish shipyards and to help build up to seven additional ASCs in US shipyards, the White House confirmed on 9 October.
The authorisation to build the ASCs abroad is an effort to âaddress urgent national security needs in the Arctic regionâ, the White House said in a statement.
The MOU âdirects the US Coast Guard (USCG) to submit a plan for phasing ASC construction in a manner that promotes the on-shoring of expertise to build follow-on ASCs domesticallyâ, the White House added.
The United States and Finland will collaborate to enhance the ASC fleet of the US on an accelerated schedule, to revitalise both their shipbuilding industries, according to the White House.
Also on 9 October, the White House confirmed an international team led by Bollinger Shipyards, in partnership with Seaspan, Rauma Marine, and Aker Arctic, has been selected for the design and construction of six USCG ASCs.
The Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design, which will be used for a large part of the ASC programme, is Seaspan's Canadian-developed design, based on the trusted Aker Arctic hullform, the company noted in a release.
With the USCG getting funding earmarked for significant icebreaker expansion, countries and companies are battling for deals to do the work.
Icebreaker competition
One pitch came from Davie Defense, which detailed plans on 10 September to develop what it is calling an âAmerican Icebreaker Factoryâ â a planned USD1 billion transformation of the Gulf Copper shipyard in Galveston, Texas, to build new USCG icebreakers such as the ASC.
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