The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has announced the resumption of monitoring Chinese research vessels that have entered the Bering Sea and crossed U.S. territorial waters and international waters. Last year, the USCG also conducted similar operations in response to a sharp increase in Chinese activity in the region.
This week, the Chinese research vessel Xue Long traveled north through the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and over the extended continental shelf of the U.S. in the Bering Sea. Its stated destination was the Arctic. The USCG also reported observing another Chinese-flagged research vessel, Xue Long 2, in the Bering Sea heading towards the Arctic.
This is the first instance in 2026 where the USCG has observed Chinese vessels in this region. This follows reports from China about the commencement of the second year of a major Arctic expedition involving four research vessels. The Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources stated that the current expedition will continue previous research on the impacts of global climate change in the Arctic Ocean.
While foreign vessels have the right to operate in the U.S. EEZ and over the extended continental shelf under international law, the Coast Guard remains vigilant to ensure that their activities comply with established international norms. In particular, conducting marine scientific research in the U.S. EEZ and/or on the extended continental shelf requires prior authorization from the U.S. and subsequent sharing of collected information.
This week, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro was dispatched to monitor the Chinese vessels. According to Coast Guard command, this operation aims to protect U.S. sovereign rights, ensure compliance with international law, and respond swiftly to any identified malfeasance.
The Trump administration is responding to the increased activity in the Arctic by ordering a new fleet of Arctic patrol icebreakers for the Coast Guard. The first of these vessels is already under construction in Finland, followed by vessels to be built in the U.S. using the expertise of Finnish partners.
The Canadian company Davie, in partnership with the Helsinki Shipyard, has received a contract to build five vessels and is developing a shipyard in Texas. Other initial contracts have been awarded to Rauma Marine Constructions (for two hulls to be built in Finland) and Bollinger (for four hulls to be built to Rauma's design in Louisiana). The 11 Arctic security cutters are expected to begin deliveries in 2028, with the program continuing until 2035.
The Coast Guard has already announced plans to homeport the first three vessels in Alaska. This is in addition to the homeport it is developing in Juneau for the acquired icebreaker, renamed USCG Storis.
