U.S. needs more icebreakers to handle arctic traffic

The U.S. needs more arctic icebreakers as commercial traffic increases in the area, posing the potential for conflicts and hazards, the New York Times said, citing Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen. More than 5,400 vessels of at least 100 tons (91 metric tons) operated in the Arctic in the summer of 2004, according to Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment Chairman Lawson Brigham, the Times said.

The U.S. owns two 30-year-old heavy icebreakers and one smaller one, the Times said. Russia's fleet stands at around 14, including the world's largest icebreaker that launched last year.

Building a new icebreaker can take as long as 10 years, the Times said. Constructing a new ship and keeping the older vessels operating may cost more than $1.5 billion, the newspaper said.