Page 65: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2025)

ICE PACT COUNTRIES & NATO ALLIES from Russia, China and the USA), programs are underway at various ongoing sanctions, collaboration with enlarged border security and defense stages in Canada, Russia (impacted by China is increasing. As a result, China missions, more expedition cruise and sanctions) and the USA. Several other has had increasing access to Russian tourism and additional scienti? c and European, Asia Paci? c and South icebreaker technology, including that data collection activity. All this activ- American countries have also commit- for nuclear icebreakers. China is ex- ity requires icebreaking support. ted to single or small numbers of polar pected to continue its development of

Of the two Polar regions, the Arctic vessel procurement. domestic icebreaker new building as it is more active in terms of icebreaking Finnish designers, builders and increases it presence in both the Arctic activity, although the Antarctic is see- machinery and equipment companies and Antarctic.

ing elevated scienti? c, data collection hold a dominant position in icebreak- Polar icebreaker construction is of- and security activity supported by ing technology. Acquisitions (such ten long in duration and high in capital icebreakers. as Davie of Helsinki Shipyard) and expenditure. As a shipping segment,

The Arctic powers, including partnerships with overseas companies in numbers it is a comparatively small

Canada, Finland, Russia, and the are likely to become increasingly im- ? eet. But the sector merits renewed in-

United States maintain the largest portant with Finnish companies within terest from the supply chain as a result polar icebreaking ? eets. The challenge the sector. A good example will be the of changing conditions in the Polar faced by these and other icebreaker U.S. Coastguard’s new icebreaker pro- regions - the result of which is more owners is an aging ? eet and a reliance gram which will see domestic yards tie icebreakers will be built, older units on a somewhat concentrated supply up with Canadian and Finnish players. will be life extended and the supply chain. Major multi-vessel new build With Russian yards impacted by chain will have more opportunities.

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