Washington, June 2025 – The U.S. Coast Guard has initiated the first Arctic deployment of its new polar icebreaker, USCGC Storis (WAGB‑21), marking a major enhancement of American capabilities in polar regions.
Transformation from Commercial Vessel
Formerly the offshore support vessel Aiviq, the 360-foot ice-capable ship was purchased from Edison Chouest Offshore in December 2024 for $125 million. After being outfitted at the Tampa Shipyard with Coast Guard livery and systems, she was officially commissioned as USCGC Storis — the first new polar-class icebreaker added to the fleet in over 25 years.
Strategic Arctic Oversight
The Storis will be homeported in Juneau, Alaska, and is scheduled for its inaugural Arctic patrol in 2026 following final modifications and trials. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan emphasized that Storis not only “builds on our legacy of Arctic operations,” but also enhances U.S. sovereignty and national security in the polar region
