Request for Information: Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a Notice and Request for Information on April 6, 2026, to gather input from shipyards and stakeholders on U.S. capacity to build polar icebreakers. This supports the ICE Pact, a trilateral agreement signed on November 19, 2025, with Canada and Finland to collaborate on icebreaker production, workforce development, information sharing, and research. The effort aims to strengthen domestic shipbuilding while allowing phased construction of Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) abroad under a Presidential memorandum from October 8, 2025, followed by on-shoring expertise. Comments are due by June 5, 2026, addressing economic impacts, infrastructure needs, supply chain barriers, workforce training, technology priorities, intellectual property, national security, and contract structures to stabilize shipyard orderbooks.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Comments due by June 5, 2026 via regulations.gov or mail to DOT
- Requests input on 21 specific topics including infrastructure, workforce, IP protection, and contract structures
- Supports ICE Pact signed November 19, 2025 with Canada and Finland
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Submit comments to MARAD addressing the 10 specified information request categories on or before June 5, 2026
Include agency name (Maritime Administration) and docket number (MARAD-2026-0496) at the beginning of all comment submissions
Submit comments using only one of three designated submission methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal (regulations.gov), U.S. Mail to specified Docket Management Facility address, or hand delivery to DOT Suite W12-140 during business hours
Provide detailed information in response to 10 specific RFI questions covering economic opportunities/risks, infrastructure needs, supply chain barriers, small business incentives, workforce development, critical materials, technology innovations, and community factors
Ensure all comments submitted will be posted publicly on regulations.gov without change, including any personal information provided