Great Lakes Icebreaker Act of 2025

This bill requires the Coast Guard to develop a strategy for building a new Great Lakes icebreaker (at least matching the Mackinaw cutter's capabilities) within 90 days of enactment, including cost and timeline estimates. It mandates a 5-year pilot program to test whether the current fleet can keep key waterways open 95% of the time during ice seasons, with annual reports to Congress on results and performance measures. The bill also updates reporting requirements to publicly disclose the Coast Guard's costs for meeting icebreaking standards, including annual briefings to relevant congressional committees on fiscal year costs. These provisions directly affect the Coast Guard's operations and Great Lakes shipping industries reliant on open waterways.