Page 22: of Marine News Magazine (March 2026)

21 23

Feature

U.S. Shipbuilding been compared to levels moving through the Suez Canal. support. Finnish technology can also assist in de? ning this ef-

This is a market and transportation initiative U.S ? ag fort and supporting current existing US-? ag tugboat tonnage.

tonnage is not prepared for and it will require commercial ILS Ship Design & Engineering in Helsinki, Finland and private investment well beyond USCG icebreakers. has developed the ILS Removable icebreaker bow concept

Russia’ latest Ice class LNG vessels are idle due to sanc- - DIBB. The removable bow icebreaker is based upon uti- tions. Four of Russia’s eight Nuclear Icebreakers are newly lizing an existing tug with lower power and size than a con- constructed. The U.S ? ag has nearly ZERO ice class com- ventional icebreaker. The tug is connected it to a notched mercial vessels, private ice classed tugs or escort icebreakers. removable ice breaking bow with additional port and star-

The description of “Ice class” or “ice capable” is misunder- board propulsion system adding the additional power to stood in many applications. It is not only the bow or wind push and break ice. When the bow is not in use, the exist- & water scantlings of the side shell. Propulsion, rudders, ing tug in the notch can return to primary operations. propellers and shafting capabilities are taken into account The “system” is similar to our U.S. ATB designs using In- to satisfy the selected Ice Class the vessel is trying to meet: tercon pins and ladders (https://intercon.com/tug-barge-cou-

Canadian, Norwegian, Finnish or Arctic and their designa- plers-2/) to mate tug and barge. Alfons Håkans (We Make tions; CAS 1-4, Arctic 1- 10, or 1A Super to 1C lowest. It Happen - Alfons Håkans) currently operates one of the

The decisions process is more confusing than selecting units in the Gulf of Finland and the Port of HaminaKotka an Italian ICE ? avor at a Kiosk during a Brooklyn, New (Hamina, Finland). Its Tug Calypso is used for general ship

York Italian Festival! assist activity when not attached to the ice breaking bow and

As the Administration shipbuilding efforts continue, providing ice breaking services. Larger units have been de- seasonal ice and transportation in the Great Lakes region signed capable of breaking 1.5-meter-thick ice at Super 1A will also enter into new discussions. The American Great levels. Intercon management attended the Alfons Håkans

Lakes Ports Association recently announced a market operation and we thank them for the photos, updates, and analysis focused on expanding cargo shipping between the discussions. These commercial efforts strengthen our en-

Great Lakes and inland waterways with the Ports of Indi- trance into the market as the Arctic opens up.

ana, Milwaukee, Chicago and Detroit all showing interest The investment savings are obvious when comparing in supporting a new supply chain. the cost of commercial new construction ice breaking ton-

The study will seek to ? nd ways to expand cargo transfers nage. More importantly it illustrates not only a new com- while assessing infrastructure needs and ways to improve ter- mercial collaboration with an experienced designer, build- minal operations. As the Amtech, Vega Reederei and Cono- er and operator but also another example of opportunities ship partnership prepares to announce the construction of that can exist under the MAP “Bridge Strategy”markets a U.S. East Coast and Great Lakes series of microcontainer and opportunities that include U.S. smaller second tier feeders, the issue of seasonal ice in the lakes will becomes part shipyards that continue to build and serve the U.S domes- of a market analysis. The successful transshipment of contain- tic shipbuilding industry. We may be still debating global ers cannot sit out a four-month winter idle period. The de- warming, alternative fuels and energy. Until those issues velopment of the new market will require icebreaker escort are solved these examples look like “ICE, ICE Baby.” 22 | MN March 2026