Advocating for the Great Lakes
Every person who calls Michigan home is all too familiar with relentless winters and harsh freezes. This is especially true for our captains on the Great Lakes who regularly deal with dangerous conditions and heavy ice accumulation that only icebreaker ships can navigate through. This creates a serious problem when it comes to keeping shipping lanes open, protecting our borders, and performing life-saving rescues on the Great Lakes.
The U.S. Coast Guard must be able to efficiently break through Great Lakes ice and defend our waters year-round. Unfortunately, the Coast Guard’s icebreaker fleet has been depleted over the last four decades, shrinking from 14 icebreakers on the Great Lakes in 1979 to nine today. That’s why I’m leading the charge with Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) to bring a next-generation icebreaker to the Great Lakes. Today, we sent a bipartisan letter asking the Trump administration to deliver to the Great Lakes at least one of the 11 Arctic Security Cutters President Trump recently secured for the Coast Guard in a historic deal with Finland.
Stationing a modern icebreaker on the Great Lakes isn't just about keeping shipping lanes open for longer periods; it's about protecting American jobs, strengthening our national security, and ensuring Michigan remains economically competitive. The shipping industry is the lifeblood of Michigan's economy, moving 90 million tons of cargo annually and creating $36 billion in economic impact. When ice closes shipping lanes before expected, entire industries grind to a halt — from steel mills and power plants to auto manufacturers waiting for critical materials and parts.
The Arctic Security Cutters we’re acquiring from Finland represent a generational investment in our maritime infrastructure and will result in more ships moving through winter ice, fewer delays, and better rescue capability when conditions turn deadly.
The bottom line is this: The Great Lakes region can no longer be overlooked when considering shipping routes. Our state is responsible for a significant portion of domestic maritime commerce, and this is our opportunity to correct an imbalance and deliver real results for Michigan families and businesses who depend on reliable access to these vital waterways.
Read our full letter by clicking here.