How the U.S. fell behind China and Russia in polar icebreakers and its plan to catch up

Polar icebreakers are in high demand as warming temperatures and melting ice open new Arctic trade routes saving shippers both time and money. They are also vital for national security. But the U.S. polar icebreaker fleet has fallen behind. The U.S. has only three polar icebreakers including one nearly two decades past her design life. Russia, by comparison, has more than 40, eight of which are nuclear powered. China has at least four with more on the way.