Steel-cutting ceremony at Sata Shipbuilding, Pori, Finland, marks the start of construction on the first Arctic Security Cutter for the United States Coast Guard
Sata Shipbuilding has marked a major milestone in the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) programme with the start of construction on the first vessel in the new icebreaker class.
The steel-cutting ceremony, held at the company’s shipyard in Pori, Finland, officially launched production of the lead Arctic Security Cutter, which is expected to play a key role in strengthening U.S. presence and operational capability in the polar regions.
Authorized under the U.S. Presidential Memorandum, “Construction of Arctic Security Cutters,” Davie Defense will deliver five ASCs. The first two will be built at Helsinki Shipyard supported by Sata Shipbuilding. Three more ASCs will be constructed at affiliate shipbuilder Gulf Copper in Texas, which on June 1 broke ground on a major modernization.
Building in Finland ensures the shipbuilder can meet the USCG’s accelerated delivery schedule for the first ASC – due in 2028. American shipbuilders will work and learn alongside Helsinki’s world-leading icebreaker builders. This will support the efficient construction of three ASCs in Texas.
The start of production marks a major milestone in the United States’ efforts to rebuild strategic icebreaking capability and rejuvenate its domestic shipbuilding industry.
In support of the construction of the first two ASC’s, the combined Helsinki Shipyard and Sata Shipbuilding direct workforce will reach 1,000 by the end of 2026, with hundreds more jobs created throughout the supply chain. The program will strengthen the competitiveness of Finland’s maritime cluster and reinforce the country’s position as the global leader in icebreaker design and construction.
In line with the trilateral Icebreaker Collaboration (ICE Pact), the ASC program demonstrates how allied nations can work together to strengthen Arctic security, expand domestic industrial capacity, and accelerate the delivery of strategic assets.
Niko Suomela, Managing Director of Sata Shipbuilding, said: “This is a historic milestone for Sata Shipbuilding and our Group. We are proud to begin work on the Arctic Security Cutter for the United States and to lay the foundation for a program of great significance to both Finland and America,”
Mika Heiskanen, CEO of Davie Shipyards Finland, said: “We are proud to contribute our expertise to this transatlantic industrial partnership. Finnish excellence in specialized shipbuilding is recognized around the world because it is built on a proven record of delivery. Helsinki Shipyard and Sata Shipbuilding have the experience, expertise and commitment to deliver these vessels on time, on quality and on budget.”
James Davies, Co-founder Inocea Group, said: “Plans don’t defend nations, strategic assets like the ASC do. Today, we are turning commitment into action. The Arctic Security Cutter program will strengthen Western maritime security, rebuild critical U.S. strategic capability with Finnish expertise, and reinforces our position as a trusted global partner in delivering complex, ice-capable vessels. “
Alex Vicefield, Co-Founder Inocea Group, said: “By combining our operations in Finland with our shipyards in Texas we are bringing world-leading icebreaker expertise to a proven Arctic Security Cutter design and delivering critical capability to the United States by 2028.”
 The steel-cutting ceremony, held at Pori){kind=link}