Fourth Icebreaker Announced for Alaska; Two to be Homeported in Kodiak, One in Seward

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska), today welcomed an announcement from the U.S. Coast Guard that a fourth icebreaker, an Arctic Security Cutter, will be homeported in Alaska-on top of the two Arctic Security Cutters announced in April and the Coast Guard Cutter Storis, a retrofitted commercially available icebreaker that was commissioned in Juneau on August 10, 2025. Additionally, the Coast Guard announced today that the first two Arctic Security Cutters will be homeported in Kodiak, and the third will be homeported in Seward once the necessary infrastructure is in place.

The vessels and support infrastructure are being built as a result of funding and authorization secured by the Alaska congressional delegation in the 2025 Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Delivery of the first Arctic Security Cutter is expected in 2028.

"The Alaska Comeback continues with a fourth icebreaker announced for the great state of Alaska!" said Sen. Sullivan, chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries. "I am honored to have led the unprecedented turnaround we're delivering for our state's Coast Guard presence and for America's Arctic security and icebreaking capacity. For decades, America languished behind our main adversaries in the Arctic, with just two icebreakers, one of which is broken. Now, thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, not only are we building brand-new icebreakers, but we're homeporting four where the ice is: Alaska! The announcement today is especially exciting for the people of Kodiak and Seward-two of our nation's most patriotic communities-who will proudly host these impressive new cutters and their Coast Guard crews and families. These critical new assets will safeguard America's interests and counter the aggression of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in the Arctic, and also serve as an important economic boost for our coastal communities."

"For years, I have worked to rebuild America's icebreaker fleet and ensure new vessels are homeported in Alaska. With two new Arctic Security Cutters officially coming to Kodiak and another planned for Seward, that effort is now translating into real investments, real assets, and real opportunities for our state," said Sen. Murkowski. "These vessels will enable the Coast Guard to support missions across the North Pacific and Arctic, strengthening our national security and emergency response. But they'll do a lot more than break the ice: they'll also bring new housing investment, construction jobs, and Coast Guard families to our communities, supporting local businesses and creating opportunities to grow. There is still significant work ahead at every level to build the shoreside infrastructure needed to support our growing icebreaking fleet. But homeporting them where they belong-Alaska-is the next essential step to turning this long-held vision into reality."

"Alaska is America's gateway to the Arctic, and for too long, our nation's icebreakers have been stationed thousands of miles from the waters they are built to navigate," said Congressman Begich. "Homeporting these icebreakers in Seward and Kodiak puts them exactly where they belong, closest to the mission and ready to project American strength across the Arctic at a time when our adversaries are racing to expand their own presence. But this announcement is about far more than national security. It means good-paying jobs, new infrastructure, and generational investment in communities that have always answered the call to serve our country. These are families and small businesses who will feel the impact for decades. This is what happens when Alaska's delegation works as one. We're not done; we'll keep fighting to bring more resources and more opportunities to communities across our state."

"America's future in the Arctic demands strength, capability and resolve," said Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. "I want to thank President Trump for his bold leadership and vision in directing this critical investment and Alaska's congressional delegation for championing the funding that made these icebreakers possible. These cutters will deliver the enduring operational capability our Nation needs to defend our sovereignty, deter adversaries, and safeguard vital resources for the American people."

On January 29, 2026, Admiral Kevin Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard, testified to Sen. Sullivan that the agency was considering homeporting in Alaska up to four of the eleven Arctic Security Cutters (icebreakers) announced as part of the U.S.-Finland Icebreaker Agreement and the ICE Pact.

Through the 2025 Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA), the Alaska congressional delegation secured $4.3 billion for the procurement of two new Polar Security Cutters, with substantial progress toward a third, and $3.5 billion to procure three Arctic Security Cutters, the nation's next-generation medium polar icebreakers. Additionally, they championed $816 million for more than ten new light and medium domestic icebreaking cutters. They also helped secure over $3 billion for shoreside infrastructure to support the homeporting of these assets, including the $300 million needed for the homeporting of the Storis in Juneau. These investments and announcements mark the most significant expansion of icebreaking capability in U.S. history.

Beyond icebreakers, the WFTCA included major investments across the Coast Guard's fleet: $1 billion for approximately 10 Fast Response Cutters (FRC), $4.3 billion for approximately nine Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC), $2.2 billion for approximately 40 MH-60 helicopters, and $1.1 billion for approximately six HC-130 aircraft.

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