Under ICE Pact, the United States announces it will build their Arctic Security Cutters (ASC) first  – October 9, 2025   

By Peter M. Sanderson, 15 October 2025

According to the White House, President Trump has authorized the construction of up to four Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) abroad. The President also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Finland to construct these four ASCs in shipyards in Finland, then utilizing Finnish expertise to construct up to seven new ASCs in the United States at Bollinger Shipyards.                                                              

By agreement, the three tonnage classifications of ICE Pact icebreakers are: 26,000 ton, Polar Class 2, Heavy Icebreakers; 22,000 ton, Polar Class 2, Program Icebreaker (CA) or ASC (US); 9,000 ton, Polar Class 4 Multi Purpose Icebreaker. Just as Taiwan is known for chips, Finland is the center of excellence for these specialized, hard to build ships. The purpose of the friendly takeover by Chantier Davie, was keep the Finnish team together and working: design bureau, specialized steel, Helsinki yard and the supporting yard at Pori. The Helsinki yard construction hall is big enough to add the first ASC next to Canada’s first Heavy Icebreaker hull, which is presently undergoing construction.

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Preview: Canadian Naval Review Vol. 21 No. 2 - Canadian Coast Guard Theme Issue

Our first article, “The Canadian Coast Guard and National Security,” looks at how the CCG can contribute to the national security environment after its move to DND. The second article, “Canada’s Coast Guard at a Crossroads: Safeguarding Shores and Security,” examines how the CCG move to DND can leverage “the CCG’s assets and capabilities to close gaps in the country’s common operating picture and deliver a more holistic national defence.”

The third article, “The Cost of Success: Rebuilding the Coast Guard’s Arctic Capabilities,” outlines that, despite the welcome addition of new ships for the CCG, the Canadian government is perpetuating the boom-and-bust cycle of shipbuilding. As well, the government is ensuring that the CCG will be ironing out wrinkles for years because of (a) the problems inherent in the first-of-class builds, (b) the different maintenance, crewing and training needs for the different ships, and (c) the fact that, once again, the fleet will have to be replaced wholesale in 30(ish) years. The fourth article, “The Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Region: Transforming Arctic Search and Rescue,” takes a close look at how the CCG has worked to improve its relationships in the North, and in this way to improve its response, and the response of local communities, to search-and-rescue operations. The final article, “How US Coast Guard Failures can Inform Canadian Success,” examines the recent USCG experience recapitalizing its fleet. In particular the article focuses on the need for strategic planning and getting the support of politicians, and examines hard lessons the USCG has learned about recruitment – with the hope that the CCG can learn from these lessons.

We don’t have our usual Making Waves commentaries, or “A View from the West” or “Warship Developments” but we do have “Dollars and Sense.” In this issue, “Dollars and Sense” looks at how the move of the CCG to DND affects defence spending, and can contribute to enhanced maritime domain awareness.

In addition to all this great information, we have our usual amazing photos – this time with a focus on CCG red and white ships!

Assuming that the Canada Post strike ends in the near future, the fall issue will be in your mailbox soon. E-subscribers will receive copies soon too. See the Table of Contents here.

CNR resources

Read more: CNR Archives (60+ magazines in PDF) and Subject Index (600+ articles)

Looking for Books about Maritime Matters?

Over the last 20 years, Canadian Naval Review has published over 180 book reviews. These books cover a variety of topics but they all relate to maritime matters, history, or security and defence at sea. This is an amazing resource. Go through the list of reviews, pick out a few books that look interesting, read the reviews, and then order the books from your nearest bookstore or from the publisher. See the list of book reviews at https://www.navalreview.ca/book-reviews/