The Icebreaker Storis Departs on Its Maiden Voyage
Posted on Jun 20, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Following a successful passage through the Panama Canal, the U.S. Coast Guard's newest icebreaker, USCGC Storis (WAGB 21), has commenced its first Arctic mission.
Interestingly, this marks the Coast Guard's first acquisition of a polar icebreaker in over 25 years.
Storis left Bollinger Shipyards in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on June 3, 2025. It arrived at the Panama Canal's northern entrance on June 11, waiting for 18 hours outside Limon Bay. After an eight-hour canal transit, it departed the Miraflores locks on June 12.
A Unique Case in Canal Transit
The Panama Canal has granted U.S. military vessels quick passage since 1999, but it's unclear if Storis received special treatment. The Coast Guard and Panama Canal Authority haven't commented on whether the icebreaker paid transit fees or received free passage.
However, a document confirmed that Storis received priority access. At the time, southbound canal traffic was light, with an average wait of about half a day. Transit costs for large vessels can exceed $500,000, with most paying between $60,000 and $150,000.
San Diego is set to receive the ship on July 2, 2025, with its commissioning ceremony in Juneau, Alaska, in August. The Coast Guard's Storis and other polar icebreakers will be stationed in Seattle until shore infrastructure is improved.
On December 20, 2024, Edison Chouest Offshore sold the ship. The vessel, formerly known as Aiviq, was renamed Storis and modified before deployment to improve its communication and self-defence systems.
Moreover, the Coast Guard has acquired Polar Security Cutters, funded by the Don Young Coast Guard Authorisation Act of 2022, to fill capacity gaps until new icebreakers arrive around 2030, separate from the official Polar Security Cutter programme.
Captain Keith M. Ropella, who was the commanding officer of Polar Star (WAGB 10) from July 2022 to July 2024, is in charge of the Storis. The Coast Guard cutter men and civilian mariners make up the ship's hybrid crew.
The Maritime Training Academy UK equips participants with the knowledge needed for successful icebreaker activities through extensive training in workshops, webinars, team-building, facilitation, and communication.
Storis' Role in Coast Guard Operations
The Coast Guard has named its second ship, Storis, after the original, which served 64 years in Arctic missions before retiring in 2007. The new ship will continue Coast Guard operations in the Arctic and Antarctic, covering missions previously performed by older cutters from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Besides, the Coast Guard is commissioning Storis under its "Force Design 2028" strategy, announced by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on May 21, to enhance its capabilities through reforms in operations, technology, and shipbuilding programs.
Notably, the U.S. Coast Guard aims to build a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers, with President Trump stating a total of 40 icebreakers, including three polar icebreakers, 21 domestic vessels, and 16 buoy tenders.
The Coast Guard's Polar Security Cutter Programme, led by Polar Sentinel (WMSP-21), began full production in May 2024. The 460-foot-long vessel, capable of 90-day missions, will carry over 180 personnel and a maritime helicopter with an 86-foot beam.
The Polar Sentinel, powered by a 45,000-horsepower diesel-electric engine, can break through ice up to 8 feet thick and is equipped with 12.7 mm machine guns and 30 mm autocannons for defence.
Canadian shipbuilder Davie plans to acquire shipyard facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, to aid US icebreaker production.
In short, James Davies, CEO of Davie, aims to transform Texas into a leading shipbuilding hub, partnering with Gulf Copper to deliver high-quality ships on time and within budget to meet U.S. security requirements.
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