Artist’s rendering of the Polar Security Cutter: U.S. Coast Guard

Two recent articles provide updates on icebreaker programs currently underway.

First, “July 2026 U.S. Coast Guard Update Part Two: Procurement and Ports” from Sixty Degrees North provides an overview of all icebreaker programs, Polar Security Cutter, Arctic Security Cutter, and Homeland Security Cutter–Light Icebreaker, written by the Directory of Polar Intelligence for Davie Group. It also looks at future basing possibilities.

When all of the upgrades are complete, we will have the Polar Star (to be replaced by the PSCs) and Healy in Seattle, Storis in Juneau, two ASCs in Kodiak, and one ASC in Seward. That will place many of our assets closer to the Arctic Circle (which is about 150 nautical miles north of Nome):

From Sixty Degrees North

Second we have “Twin Icebreaker Projects Progressing at Bollinger’s Gulf Coast Yards” that follows a US Naval Institute reporter’s visit to Bollinger shipyards building the Polar Security Cutter and the Arctic Security Cutter.

We are still a long way from delivery but nice to hear progress is being made.

First deliveries of the Bollinger/Rauma Marine ASCs is expected in 2028 and all six by 2031.

The first of the Davie/Helsinki built ASCs is expected in 2028 with all five complete by 2035.

First delivery of the Polar Security Cutter is nominally 2030 but GAO suggests 2033. Delivery of all three Polar Security Cutters is expected 2039. And yes the price has gone up. $6B for the three ships. Actually that does not sound too unreasonable since we are paying about $2B each for USS San Antonio class LPDs which are about the same size.

From Sixty Degrees North