Icebreaker Collaboration Effort
In November 2024, Canada signed a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United States and Finland to establish the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact).
The ICE Pact will enhance industry collaboration among the 3 countries. It will coordinate expertise and strengthen the 3 countries’ abilities to design, build and market best-in-class Arctic and polar vessels, including icebreakers.
The ICE Pact includes 4 components:
- enhanced information exchange between Canada, Finland and the United States
- workforce development collaboration
- engagement with allies and partners
- research and development
Canada brings decades of experience building and using icebreakers in harsh Arctic conditions. This strong knowledge and skilled industry make Canada a key partner in helping the ICE Pact create advanced icebreaking technology that works well with others.
Memorandum of understanding
The MOU outlines enhancements to the collective capacity of the 3 countries to design, produce and maintain Arctic and polar icebreakers, as well as other capabilities, by increasing information exchange, industrial collaboration and operational know-how. The participants recognize that the production of icebreakers and other capabilities extends beyond the shipbuilding industry and into the value chains comprising shipyards, engineering companies, marine equipment manufacturers, turnkey suppliers, system suppliers and software providers, as well as other capabilities.
About the partnership
Through the ICE Pact, Canada, Finland and the United States recognize the enduring importance of the Arctic to our collective economic, climate and national security. The 3 countries resolve to deepen cooperation to ensure the Arctic and polar regions remain peaceful, cooperative and prosperous. This partnership is a commitment that recognizes our joint priority of upholding safety and security in the Arctic, including continued protection of long-standing international rules and norms.
The ICE Pact aims to develop new equipment and capabilities more quickly. This includes setting up a system to exchange information on icebreaking technology, reducing construction costs and leveraging various shipyards to keep construction on pace.
Through the ICE Pact, Canada, the United States and Finland will also work together on a joint workforce-development program to ensure workers have the advanced skills and training to build these specialized ships.
Canada successfully revitalized its shipbuilding industry through the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). By jointly developing and producing world-class Arctic and polar icebreakers, we’re building on the foundations laid by the NSS for a skilled and competitive shipbuilding industry.
Canada’s world-class expertise in Arctic and polar capabilities is foundational to the success of the ICE Pact. The Canadian Coast Guard has 18 icebreakers, making it the second-largest icebreaking fleet in the world. In May 2021, Canada awarded contracts for 2 new polar icebreakers under the NSS. These polar icebreakers will be even more powerful than its current largest, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent. One will be built by Chantier Davie Canada Inc. and the other by Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards.
Implementing the ICE Pact
Countries have jointly developed a workplan and associated implementation plan and are meeting regularly to advance workplan items.
Participating in the ICE Pact
Canada continues to work closely with its shipbuilding partners and supply chains to ensure that benefits and opportunities for the Canadian shipbuilding industry are realized.
In spring 2025, Canada published a request for information (RFI) on the implementation of the ICE Pact. The RFI identified important information about the Canadian shipbuilding industry’s technical expertise, infrastructure, and workforce capacity to build Arctic and polar vessels. Respondents emphasized readiness and a strong interest in industrial and technical collaboration across the 3 partner countries.
Recent industry-led efforts, such as Chantier Davie’s acquisition of shipyards in Finland and the United States, and Seaspan Shipyards’ trilateral partnership to deliver the Arctic Security Cutter of the United States Coast Guard, demonstrate the kind of innovation and cooperation the ICE Pact is designed to foster. More opportunities like these will continue to emerge as the trilateral partnership evolves.
Industry partners who want to contribute to the ICE Pact and participate in further engagement opportunities should contact spac.dgamdpactebg-icepactdmpb.pspc@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.
News
- National Coordinators advance work on Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (July 2025)
- National Coordinators of the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort meet in Helsinki, Finland (March 2025)
- Canada signs new partnership agreement with United States and Finland to produce Arctic and polar icebreakers (November 2024)
- Canada, Finland and the United States joint statement on ICE Pact (July 2024)
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