USCG awards Davie Defense contract to build five ASC polar icebreakers

Davie Defense has been awarded a United States Coast Guard contract to build five Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs). Two of the polar icebreakers will be constructed in Finland at Davie Defense’s sister facility, Helsinki Shipyard.

Davie Defense says that building the first two icebreakers in Finland ensures that it can meet the USCG’s accelerated schedule to deliver the first ASC in 2028. American shipbuilders will work and learn alongside Helsinki’s experienced icebreaker builders. This will support the efficient all-American construction of three ASCs at Davie’s shipbuilding facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas.

The five icebreaker award completes the award of contracts for 11 Arctic Security Cutters, fulfilling President Trump’s directive to rapidly expand America’s icebreaker fleet.

It follows the contracts awarded last December to Rauma Marine Constructions Oy (RMC) of Rauma, Finland, and Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, LLC. of Lockport, La. Two of those ASCs will be built in Finland, and four by Bollinger in the U.S.

“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 of Homeland Security Kristi 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.”

“We’re deeply honored by this vote of confidence,” said Davie Defense CEO Kai Skvarla. “We can’t wait to get started on delivering mission-ready cutters to our valued U.S. Coast Guard partner. By anchoring construction in Texas, while drawing on Helsinki Shipyard’s proven icebreaker expertise, we can deliver the ASCs to meet the Coast Guard’s operational needs in the world’s harshest environments.”

Davie’s ASC design is based on a proven platform with seven previous variants delivered from Helsinki Shipyard. These variants are all in service today.

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