Note

Hello All

Sixty Degrees North is back with more icebreaker news!

I've been writing about the ICE Pact since it was first announced. One thing that I found interesting is the differing viewpoints on the matter between the people I talk to in Finland and the United States. For example, the Americans involved say that the ICE Pact will not involve allied shipyards building icebreakers for the United States.

The Finns, however- based on news reports and personal discussions- clearly expect to build icebreakers for the United States in Finland.

Why? Because if U.S. Government is serious about executing its Arctic strategy, there is simply no other way for the U.S. Coast Guard to acquire icebreakers in a timeframe that matters. This is not a boast, but an opinion based on knowledge and understanding of the icebreaker market.

At the level below shipyards, other companies within the Finnish maritime industry hope for more icebreaker construction, regardless of where the ships are built. This will increase demand for their first-rate products and services.

However, those I spoke to from these types of companies believe that more icebreakers will be built if U.S. (and Canadian) shipyards partner first with a Finnish shipyard and build some icebreakers in Finland.

Click through for the full story. It's been a busy few months in the icebreaker world, and I will be posting several articles in the near future. Be sure to like this post and subscribe to Sixty Degrees North so that you don't miss an update.

All the Best,

PGR