Polar icebreakers are in high demand as warming temperatures and melting ice open new Arctic trade routes, saving shippers both time and money. They are also vital for national security. But the U.S. polar icebreaker fleet has fallen behind. The U.S. has only three polar icebreakers including one nearly two decades past her design life. Russia, by comparison, has more than 40, eight of which are nuclear powered. China has at least four with more on the way. The U.S. has allocated $8.6 billion to build 11 new vessels, with the first delivery expected in 2028.
00:00 – 02:27: Intro
02:28 – 05:13: Domestic shipping routes
05:14 – 08:13: Arctic routes
08:14 – 12:09: Polar icebreakers
Produced and Shot by: Shawn Baldwin
Reporting by: Lori Ann LaRocco
Edited by: Darren Geeter
Animation: Jason Reginato, Emily Park
Drone by: Mickey Todiwala
Senior Director of Video: Jeniece Pettitt
Additional Footage: U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Davie Shipyards
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How The U.S. Fell Behind In Polar Icebreakers And Trump’s $8.6 Billion Plan To Fix It
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