U.S. Icebreaker Build Plan Moves Forward at Warp Speed
will construct up to four cutters in the U.S; the first U.S.-built vessel is expected in 2029.Seaspan’s MPI design ... originally designed for the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) long-range, multi-mission operations in extreme Arctic conditions ... was developed in partnership with Aker Arctic Technology Inc. of Finland (Aker) and under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), is ready for production enabling construction on the ASC program to begin immediately. Image courtesy SeaspanDesign and engineering of the MPI was completed almost entirely in Canada. Seaspan
Icebreaker Construction: Seaspan, Bollinger, Rauma and Aker Arctic Team to Build USCG Icebreakers
of the world’s operating icebreakers, provides the technological backbone of the partnership. “Together, we will leverage our expertise to build state-of-the-art icebreakers that meet the highest standards of mission capability and reliability,” said Mika Hovilainen, CEO of Aker Arctic Technology.The Seaspan-Aker Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design exceeds all Coast Guard ASC requirements and supports all 11 statutory missions. Capable of breaking four feet of ice, traveling 12,000 nautical miles, and operating over 60 days without resupply, the MPI design is shared with the Canadian
Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg Tech: RDT&E's Annual Arctic Technology Evaluation
The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) teamed up with Coast Guard Cutter Campbell’s crew this summer to evaluate five technologies as part of the RDC’s annual Arctic Technology Evaluation. The Campbell crew conducted the evaluations during their two-month deployment supporting joint Arctic operations off Greenland’s western coast, returning to their Kittery, Maine, homeport on Sept. 29, 2020.“Testing various technologies by cutter crews for operation in cold and Arctic environments provides highlights on what works and what may need improvement, and can help
'Roomba' in the Arctic
in ultra-heavy oil. That video was presented at the International Oil Spill Conference in Long Beach, last May. “RDC had solicited companies,” Bennett explained, “with the request to get an operational skimming system with thrusters to Alaska by mid-July for the 2017 Arctic Technology Evaluations, but no entity was able to fulfill the deadline request.” Subsequently, Coast Guard personal contacted the Aqua-Guard team in Vancouver. Bennett said Aqua-Guard’s team “jumped on the opportunity to have a RotoX tested in ice” and they built and tested
Designing for Ice with Ian Jordaan
were placed inside the hull. They might ram that vessel into the ice, during which they measure the pressure distribution. Based on this data, we can develop criteria for various ice scenarios. If I’m working on a design, there is nothing better than full-scale data. At the Arctic Technology Conference here in St. John’s in October, I am presenting a paper, “Estimation of Ice Loads Using Mechanics of Ice Failure in Compression”, which focuses on high-pressure zones and the use of mechanics for design. It highlights the necessity of using full-scale data, and also
Alaska Awards Fugro for Ice Management
Alaska Governor Bill Walker announced Fugro as winner of the 2015 Governor’s North Star Award for International Excellence in the category of scientific exchange. The accolade follows the ‘Spotlight on Arctic Technology’ award announced during the annual Arctic Technology Conference last year. Fugro was honored for its development of an airborne sea-ice management capability that enables ice thickness mapping, characterization and monitoring over large geographic areas. Utilizing a unique radar mapping system known as GeoSAR, the ice management capability is designed to
OTC Names 2015 Award Recipients
safety. Ayers has been awarded 49 patents and has received numerous other technical and leadership awards, including one from the American Gas Association for “Engineer of the Year.” The Distinguished Achievement Award Program is expanding to two other OTC events. The Arctic Technology Conference and OTC Brasil will both host versions of this program in 2015. The call for nominations is currently open for OTC Brasil. If truly significant, the OTC Brasil Awards Committee will bestow an individual and an organization with this award for technological, humanitarian
Olgoonik/Fairweather Recognized for CSESP Contributions
Olgoonik/Fairweather, LLC is being honored by the 2015 Arctic Technology Conference (ATC) with a Distinguished Achievement Award for its contribution to the Chukchi Sea Environmental Science Program (CSESP). The award, shared by ConocoPhillips, Shell and Statoil, recognizes the co-design and safe operation of one of the largest multidisciplinary science programs in the world. Having just completed its seventh year, the CSESP is operated by Olgoonik/Fairweather and supported by ConocoPhillips, Shell and Statoil. The CSESP is focused on characterizing pre-exploration baseline information
Obama Arctic Plan Misses the Mark, Says Alaska Lt. Governor
At a 3-day Arctic technology conference in Houston, Texas, Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell told a gathering of oil and gas experts that President Obama's recently released implementation plan for the nation’s Arctic strategy misses the mark. "The White House plan does not move us toward more certainty on development,” Treadwell said. “Arctic offshore oil and gas development is occurring, just not in the U.S. You’d think we would have figured out how to offer certainty to investors by now.” Treadwell said he is especially surprised the federal government wants a
February 2026
