OTTAWA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Canadian federal government on Wednesday signed a joint memorandum of understanding with the United States and Finland to establish the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact).
"This landmark partnership will enhance industry collaboration among the three countries, coordinate expertise and strengthen the abilities to produce best-in-class polar vessels, including icebreakers," said Public Services and Procurement Canada in a press release.
According to the release, the ICE Pact will allow new equipment and capabilities to be produced more quickly. This includes setting up a system to rapidly exchange information on these icebreakers, keeping construction cost-and-time efficient.
The Canadian Coast Guard currently has 18 icebreakers of varying sizes and capabilities, making it the second-largest icebreaking fleet in the world.
In May 2021, Canada announced the construction of two new polar icebreakers which would have capacity and abilities beyond those of Canada's current largest icebreaker, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent.
In addition to the two polar icebreakers, Canada is building six Arctic and offshore patrol ships (AOPS) for the Royal Canadian Navy, two AOPS for the Canadian Coast Guard, six program icebreakers and up to 16 multi-purpose vessels, all of which have varying icebreaking capabilities, according to the release. ■