The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that it has accepted ownership of the motor vessel Aiviq, a 360’8”x80’x34’ polar class 3-equivalent icebreaker, from an Edison Chouest Offshore subsidiary. The acquisition, finalized on Dec. 11, is aimed at strengthening U.S. operations in the Arctic and supporting Coast Guard missions while awaiting the delivery of the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) fleet.
Saddled with an aging and inadequate polar icebreaker fleet, the Coast Guard moved to acquire the commercially available vessel amid mounting delays in its PSC program and as Russia and China expand their presence in the Artic. The acquisition was authorized under the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 and funded by fiscal year 2024 appropriations.
Aiviq, an anchor handling supply tug with icebreaking capability, was built at Edison Chouest's North American Shipbuilding in Larose, La., and LaShip in Houma, La., and delivered in March 2012 to support Shell’s oil drilling operations in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas off the coast of Alaska.
Once commissioned by the Coast Guard, the vessel will be renamed USCGC Storis (WAGB 21). This will be the second cutter to carry the name, honoring the legacy of the original Storis, which was widely recognized for its icebreaking operations in Alaska and the Arctic, a Coast Guard press release said.
“This acquisition is a vital step in increasing our operational presence in the Arctic,” said Adm. Linda Fagan, commandant of the Coast Guard. “The future Coast Guard Cutter Storis builds on our legacy of Arctic operations and underscores our commitment to asserting U.S. sovereignty and supporting national security in the region.”
The $125 million contract with Edison Chouest subsidiary Offshore Service Vessels LLC., Cut Off, La., covers delivery, reactivation, technical data, spares, certifications, modifications, crew training, and operational readiness activities.
The Coast Guard said it expects the future Storis to be prepared to support U.S. interests in the Arctic and carry out key missions with “minimal modifications.” However, a full evaluation of the vessel's condition will determine the additional requirements needed to achieve full operational capability.
The future Storis is expected to enter service in 2026 and will be homeported in Juneau, Alaska, once required shore infrastructure improvements are completed. In the meantime, the Coast Guard is exploring temporary homeport options.
This acquisition serves as a bridging strategy to ensure near-term operational presence in the Arctic while the Coast Guard awaits the delivery of a full fleet of Polar Security Cutters. The first PSC, originally scheduled for delivery in the mid 2020s, is now expected in 2030 at the earliest. According to the Coast Guard, eight to nine polar icebreakers are required to meet operational needs in the polar regions.
The Coast Guard currently operates just two polar-capable icebreakers: the 24-year-old medium icebreaker USCGC Healy (WAGB-20)
