(WASHINGTON) — Officials representing the governments of the United States, Canada and Finland signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday to begin working together to develop world-class Arctic and polar icebreakers through the exchange of knowledge, information and resources.
The landmark agreement builds off the launch of the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, President Alexander Stubb of Finland and President Joe Biden of the United States on the margins of the NATO Washington Summit in July.
In signing the ICE Pact agreement, the three countries have embarked on a transformative partnership that strengthens their ability to uphold international rules and maintain security in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. By jointly developing and producing world-class Arctic and polar icebreakers, the countries are laying the foundation for a resilient and competitive shipbuilding industry, capable of meeting both national and global demand for these critical assets.
“This arrangement underscores our collective commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the Arctic and polar regions, and is a testament to the strength of allied cooperation in addressing strategic challenges,” the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a prepared statement. “Each of our nations recognizes the need to enhance our Arctic and polar icebreaking capabilities to assert our collective presence in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Building these specialized vessels at a faster pace, on a larger scale, and at competitive costs is a shared priority as we uphold safety and security in these strategically important areas.”
The ICE Pact includes four components:
• Enhanced information exchange between the United States, Canada and Finland.
• Workforce development collaboration.
• Engagement with allies and partners.
• Research and development.
Given the high costs of shipbuilding, long-term orders are essential for shipyard success in each of the countries. The collective investment in U.S. domestic shipyards has the potential to scale production and reduce the cost of Arctic and polar icebreakers for U.S. use and for its allies and partners.
“By leveraging our collective expertise and resources, the (agreement) will facilitate knowledge, information and resource sharing with shipyards, with the potential to create high-quality manufacturing jobs in the maritime infrastructure industry,” the Department of Homeland Security said. “The ICE Pact will help provide the stability necessary to support the production of Arctic and polar icebreakers and strengthen our shipbuilding industries.”
Officials from the United States, Canada and Finland signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to establish the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact). The partnership will enhance industry collaboration among the countries, coordinate expertise, and strengthen their abilities to produce best-in-class polar vessels, including icebreakers.
The ICE Pact will allow new equipment and capabilities to be produced more quickly. including setting up a system to rapidly exchange information on icebreakers, keeping construction cost- and time-efficient. Through the ICE Pact, Canada, the U.S. and Finland will also work together on a joint workforce-development program to ensure that the workers building these vessels have the skills and training required.
By jointly developing and producing world-class Arctic and polar icebreakers, the nations are laying the foundation for a competitive shipbuilding industry.
The memorandum was signed by Jean-Yves Duclos, Canadian minister of public services and procurement and Quebec lieutenant; Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. secretary of homeland security; and Wille Rydman, Finland’s minister of economic affairs.
– Government of Canada
