RMC gets order to build 2 icebreakers for US Coast Guard

Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) on Monday announced that it has been awarded a contract by the United States Coast Guard for the construction of two Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), said the company in a press release.

The contract will deliver the first two ASCs, as part of the agreement between the United States and Finland to accelerate delivery of icebreakers to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Construction of the vessels will begin immediately.

“We secured this significant deal thanks to our expertise and capability to build the ships within the required timeframe. Our fast delivery times make us the most affordable option on the market,” said Mika Nieminen, Chief Executive Officer of Rauma Marine Constructions.

The icebreakers will be built at the Rauma shipyard and will be completed in 2028. Satakunta University of Applied Sciences is participating in the project as a training partner.

“Our focus is straightforward: execute with discipline, manage risk rigorously, and deliver two cutters that are ready to operate in the world’s harshest maritime environment from day one,” Nieminen added.

The contract is a major achievement for the historic U.S.–Finland icebreaker cooperation announced earlier this fall under the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact) framework.

The Arctic Security Cutter is a new class of U.S. Coast Guard medium polar icebreakers that will address America’s urgent national security needs in the Arctic region.

ASCs will be capable of continuous icebreaking in heavy Arctic conditions, extended independent operations without resupply, and long-range deployment to safeguard U.S. interests in the Arctic.

Earlier in November 2025, Finland, United States and Canada signed a Joint Statement of Intent (JSOI) in Washington to enhance trilateral cooperation in producing and maintaining world-class icebreakers for Arctic operations.

In November 2024, officials representing the governments of Finland, Canada and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop world-class Arctic and polar icebreakers.

The MoU was signed following the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact signed by President Alexander Stubb, his US counterpart Joe Biden and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau in Washington in July, 2024.

In October, 2025 Finland and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on icebreaker cooperation.

Earlier in January 2025, United States President Donald Trump announced to order 40 icebreakers for his country focusing on building a big, new American icebreaker fleet.