USCG awards Bollinger and Finland’s RMC contracts for up to six Arctic Security Cutter icebreakers

The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday awarded two contracts to build up to six Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) icebreakers. The contracts were awarded to Rauma Marine Constructions Oy (RMC) of Rauma, Finland, and Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, LLC. of Lockport, La.

The contract with Rauma Marine Constructions includes up to two ASCs to be built in Finland, with delivery of the first vessel expected in 2028. The contract with Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, includes up to four ASCs to be built in the United States, with delivery of the first domestically built cutter expected in 2029.

“This plan is designed to take immediate advantage of our Finnish partners’ icebreaker expertise while coordinating the on-shoring of that expertise in the United States in the long run,” said the Coast Guard.

The acquisition of ASCs continues the service’s modernization through Force Design 2028, an initiative introduced by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to transform the Coast Guard into a more agile, capable and responsive fighting force.

The contracts follow the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the White House Oct. 29 by President Trump and Finnish President Alexander Stubb (see earlier story).

“America has been an Arctic nation for over 150 years, and we’re finally acting like it under President Trump. Our adversaries continue to look to grow their presence in the Arctic, equipping the Coast Guard with Arctic Security Cutters will help reassert American maritime dominance there,” said Secretary Noem. “Revitalizing the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking capabilities is crucial for our security and prosperity, and today’s announcement is an important step in that direction.”

“These awards represent decisive action to guarantee American security in the Arctic,” said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard. “The Arctic Security Cutters will deliver the essential capability to uphold U.S. sovereignty against adversaries’ aggressive economic and military actions in the Arctic. These cutters will ensure the Coast Guard’s ability to control, secure, and defend our northern border and maritime approaches – without question.”

Acquisition of the ASCs continues the service’s modernization through Force Design 2028, an initiative introduced by Secretary Noem to transform the Coast Guard into a more agile, capable and responsive fighting force.

The ASCs will be based on the Multi-Purpose Icebreaker design by Seaspan Shipyards of Vancouver, Canada, developed with Aker Arctic Technology Inc of Helsinki, Finland.

“The Arctic Security Cutter is one of the most consequential and time-sensitive shipbuilding programs in U.S. Coast Guard history, and today’s contract award is a clear vote of confidence in the men and women of Bollinger,” said Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “The program will be Bollinger’s fifth class of cutters built for the Coast Guard, building on our current Sentinel and Polar Security Cutter programs and more than 40 years of experience in delivering over 187 cutters for the service. With clear direction from President Trump and an aggressive delivery timeline, our mission is straightforward: leverage the full strength of our shipbuilding facilities across the Gulf Coast, along with our proven partners, to deliver these cutters on schedule and mission ready on day one.”

“By centering ASC construction in Houma, Louisiana, while drawing on our broader footprint, we gain the flexibility and capacity to move fast without compromising safety or quality,” Bordelon added. “These ships will operate in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. Our responsibility is to deliver a stable, reliable platform that Coast Guard crews can trust from their first mission underway and for decades to come.”

The contract for four Bollinger-built ASCs is part of a broader program that will ultimately field up to eleven Arctic Security Cutters under the trilateral ICE Pact framework. Together with the ongoing Polar Security Cutter program, ASC will provide the Coast Guard with a modern, layered icebreaking fleet capable of enforcing U.S. sovereignty, protecting American interests against global threats and enabling year-round operations as commercial activity and strategic competition accelerate in the Arctic.

“The awarded contract marks a historic milestone. It is a major vote of confidence in RMC and in the Finnish maritime industry network,” said Mika Nieminen, CEO at Rauma Marine Constructions.
“We secured this significant deal thanks to our expertise and capability to build the ships within the required timeframe. Our fast delivery times make us the most affordable option on the market. Now it is time for us and our network to prove ourselves and demonstrate that we are worthy of trust.”

“Our focus is straightforward: execute with discipline, manage risk rigorously, and deliver two cutters that are ready to operate in the world’s harshest maritime environment from day one,” Nieminen added,.

“Finnish shipyards build the world’s best icebreakers and the largest cruise ships. Securing the icebreaker order for RMC’s shipyard is excellent news for Finland and for our entire maritime industry. The order strengthens the position of Finnish companies in the global value chain, increases Finland’s competitiveness and increases export income,” said Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Sakari Puisto.

“In the case of icebreakers, RMC’s preparatory work started in the autumn, but now we are moving towards full implementation. The entity formed by the shipyard and an extensive network of subcontractors and partners is unique internationally. This will enable us to deliver even the most modern icebreakers quickly and with high quality,” Minister Puisto added.

The post USCG awards Bollinger and Finland’s RMC contracts for up to six Arctic Security Cutter icebreakers appeared first on Marine Log.