Position Papers

Position Papers

Uniform Regulation of Ballast Water
Jones Act and Other U.S. Maritime Cabotage Laws
Efficient Funding for the Second Poe-Sized Lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Keep Commerce Moving on the Great Lakes During the Winter Months – Protect the Supply Chain
Full Federal Funding for State Maritime Academies
Short Sea Shipping
Great Lakes Shipbuilding and Government Programs to Promote the Industry
Full Funding for Dredging Great Lakes Deep-Draft Ports and Waterways

Keep Commerce Moving on the Great Lakes During the Winter Months – Protect the Supply Chain

Goal:

Build a second heavy Great Lakes icebreaker now and repower the 140-foot icebreaking tugs. The USCG should provide the Great Lakes the same icebreaking level of service provided to American East Coast ports and waterways.

Background:

Over the past ten years, the lack of adequate icebreaking on the Great Lakes has caused the loss of over 10,000 jobs and $2 billion to the economy.  In addition, ice jam flooding in the Great Lakes region has become extreme due to more frequent polar vortexes. The 2023 National Defense Authorization Act required the USCG to accurately measure the movement of winter commerce across the entire Great Lakes and authorizes the full construction cost of the new heavy icebreaker at $350 million.  The USCG has committed to building the new icebreaker and included $55 million in the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget request.  Unfortunately, only $20 million was funded by Congress.

Only construction of a twin to the heavy Great Lakes icebreaker MACKINAW will ensure the continued movement of critical raw materials on the Great Lakes during the winter season.  The interconnected Great Lakes system requires reliable and predictable icebreaking to ensure workers at the ports, on the ships, at the mills, and at the mines stay employed and continue to produce and transport the vital cargoes needed to keep American economic security intact.

The USCG cites a 10-year construction timeline once construction funds have been provided.  The Great Lakes region and the national economy cannot afford to wait another 10-years for another 10,000 jobs lost and $2 billion in economic damage.

The 45-year-old 140-foot icebreaking tugs have exceeded their service life and continue to suffer significant casualties even after their “service life extension program (SLEP)” which was supposed to keep the vessels in service for another 15 years.  Unfortunately, the SLEP did not address the heart of the ships which is their main engines and motor.  These crucial icebreaking ships need to be replaced, however repowering the vessels, which was not done during their SLEP, would bridge the gap until new ships can be built. 

Action:

The USCG statutory requirement to maintain waterways with icebreaking during the winter months is on the precipice of complete failure.  Funding must be provided now for a second heavy icebreaker to be built and operated on the Great Lakes.  The USCG must repower the 140-foot icebreaking tugs, preferably at shipyards in the Great Lakes. GLMTF supports the reauthorization of $350 million for the Great Lakes heavy icebreaker in the 2025 Coast Guard Authorization Bill.  In addition, GLMTF urges Congress to appropriate at least $60 million for the icebreaker in 2025, which is the $35 million requested but not received in 2024 and the $20 million on the USCG’s Unfunded Priorities List (UPL) which would expedite construction.