US Coast Guard’s New Icebreaker ‘Aiviq’: A Capable Addition to Arctic Operations or a Flawed Stopgap Solution?

By Malte Humpert (gCaptain) – The U.S. Coast Guard’s newest acquisition, the icebreaker Aiviq, is being readied to supplement the service’s two aging polar-capable vessels. During its short commercial service life it was described as the world’s most powerful offshore supply and anchor handling icebreaking vessel. 

But can it become an effective tool increasing U.S. presence in the Arctic countering Russian and Chinese influence? How does Aiviq stack up to the USCG’s medium polar icebreaker Healy?

“It’s an icebreaker on one hand and it isn’t one on the other, due to its offshore industry role,” one industry insider told gCaptain.

Aiviq remains little tested in heavy ice conditions. It encountered some summer ice in Antarctica in support of Australia’s Antarctic Division during the 2021-2023 seasons. Testing its icebreaking capabilities will likely sit near the top of the Coast Guard’s to-do list once it enters into service in 2026.

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