Icebreakers – Professional Mariner

21 Apr

‘Warm embrace’: Polar Star back home after Antarctic mission

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(SEATTLE) — The crew aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) returned home to Seattle on April 13 following a 146-day Antarctic deployment in support of Operation Deep Freeze (ODF) 2026. Polar Star departed Seattle on Nov. 20, traveling more than 20,000 nautical miles through ocean and ice to complete ODF 2026. ODF is the federal logistical…

16 Apr

First Arctic security cutters to be home-ported in Alaska

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, Security, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that the first two Arctic security cutters (ASCs) will be home-ported in Alaska. Anticipating delivery of the first new cutters by the end of 2028, the Coast Guard has begun planning to ensure necessary infrastructure and support are in place to receive two icebreakers. “Home-porting these two Arctic security cutters in Alaska…

26 Mar

Icebreaker gap brings U.S. Great Lakes fleet to standstill

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Icebreakers, shipping

(CLEVELAND) — A little over a day and half since the Soo Locks opened, providing access to Lake Superior and critical raw materials like iron ore, the U.S.-flagged Great Lakes commercial fleet is at a standstill in the St. Marys River and Whitefish Bay, the critical connection between Lake Superior and all other Great Lakes. The only way into Lake…

12 Mar

Polar Star completes ‘landmark’ mission to Antarctica

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(SOUTHERN OCEAN) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) departed McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, on March 1 after operating for 55 days below the Antarctic Circle and traveling 14,000 miles in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2026. The cutter marked its 50th year of commissioned service on Jan. 17 while breaking free a cruise ship trapped in pack…

11 Feb

Davie gets Coast Guard order for five Arctic security cutters

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Wednesday it has completed the award of contracts for 11 Arctic security cutters, fulfilling President Trump’s directive to rapidly expand America’s icebreaker fleet. The latest award is for construction of up to five Arctic security cutters, bringing the president’s initial order to completion and marking a historic milestone in U.S. Arctic capability. The…

23 Jan

Polar Star marks 50 years by freeing cruise ship from ice

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(SOUTHERN OCEAN) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star began icebreaking operations in the Southern Ocean in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2026 and marked its 50th year of commissioned service Saturday by freeing and escorting a cruise ship trapped in pack ice. The Australian-owned cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II contacted Polar Star at approximately 11 p.m. local time…

29 Dec

Bollinger gets contract for up to four Arctic security cutters

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday announced the award of two contracts to build up to six Arctic security cutters (ASCs), ships designed to break through and navigate ice-covered waters. Contracts were awarded to Rauma Marine Constructions of Rauma, Finland, and Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La. The Arctic security cutters will defend U.S. sovereignty, secure critical shipping lanes,…

04 Dec

Icebreakers in Texas? Davie closes Gulf Copper acquisition

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding

(GALVESTON, Texas and WASHINGTON) — Davie Defense on Tuesday announced the closing of the acquisition of Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp.’s shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas. The completion of the transaction includes all required U.S. government approvals, including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). As part of the Inocea Group, the acquisition makes…

28 Nov

Polar Star heads to Antarctica on annual resupply mission

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(SEATTLE) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) departed Seattle on Thursday, commencing its 29th deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze. Operation Deep Freeze is an annual joint military mission to resupply the United States Antarctic stations in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the lead agency for the U.S. Antarctic Program. As…

10 Oct

Bollinger, Finnish yard to build first Arctic security cutters

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — President Trump on Thursday announced that Bollinger Shipyards, in conjunction with Rauma Marine Constructions, Seaspan Shipyards and Aker Arctic Technology Inc., will lead an effort to supply six Arctic security cutters under an initiative to deliver next-generation icebreakers to the U.S. Coast Guard by 2028, USNI News reported. “We sort of have almost a monopoly on icebreakers if…