US Coast Guard Set to Begin Construction of New Heavy Polar Icebreakers

After years of delays, design challenges, and cost overruns, the U.S Coast Guard (USCG) is finally poised to start construction on the lead vessel in a class of new heavy polar icebreakers, marking the first such construction in the country in over five decades.

The USCG, in collaboration with the Navy Integrated Program Office, received approval on December 19 to commence building the first ship, which will be named Polar Sentinel. This approval includes the incorporation of eight prototype fabrication assessment units (PFAUs) currently in production or planned.

According to the Coast Guard, the PFA has laid the groundwork for the government and the shipbuilder to begin construction of the PSC class, streamlining processes for more precise, cost-effective, and reliable construction.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the cost of the ship at $1.9 billion, significantly exceeding the initial projection when VT Halter Marine (now Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding) was awarded the construction contract in April 2019.

The green light to start building the lead vessel signifies a crucial step forward for the long-delayed program. Barring any further setbacks, the delivery of Polar Sentinel is anticipated in 2029, five years later than the original timeline proposed by VT Halter.

Construction of the icebreaker has been beset by delays and cost overruns, leaving the U.S. trailing behind competitors like China and Russia, both of which have bolstered their fleets with modern heavy icebreakers.

Technical Challenges

The construction of heavy icebreakers presents unique technical challenges, necessitating the reacquisition of skills dormant since the 1970s when Polar Star and Polar Sea were built. The hull plating of these vessels must be thicker to withstand dense ice, while a special steel alloy ensures flexibility in frigid temperatures. Internal structural reinforcements prevent the ship from buckling under pressure, resulting in a highly compartmentalized interior.

Cost Implications

Polar Sentinel will spearhead the PSC program, with subsequent ships estimated to cost around $1.6 billion each. The CBO projects the total cost of the three-ship program at $5.1 billion, significantly higher than the Coast Guard’s estimate of $3.2 billion. Operating and supporting a fleet of three heavy icebreakers is expected to reach $12.4 billion between 2029 and 2063.

Challenges Ahead

Until the arrival of Polar Sentinel, the USCG must contend with aging vessels like the Polar Star and Healy. To bridge the gap, the acquisition of the commercial icebreaker Aiviq was recently completed, enhancing operational presence in the Arctic.

Geostrategic Significance

The USCG emphasizes the importance of expanding its icebreaker fleet to counter the growing economic and geopolitical influence of China and Russia in the Arctic. With more icebreakers, the U.S. aims to maintain a continuous presence in key Arctic regions, safeguarding its interests in the face of intensifying competition.