U.S. Finalizes $3.3 Billion Contracts for Six Arctic Security Cutters

Overview

• The Department of Homeland Security finalized contracts allocating about $2.2 billion to Bollinger Shipyards for four hulls and about $1.1 billion to Finland’s Rauma for two hulls for a total of six Arctic Security Cutters.
• Bollinger began at‑risk fabrication after cutting steel for the first ASC hull in April, a move company leaders say bought months of schedule time before the finalized award.
• The cutters use a mature Seaspan/Aker Arctic Multi‑Purpose Icebreaker design rated Polar Class 4, roughly 9,000 tons, able to break about four feet of ice, with a 12,000‑nautical‑mile range and an 85‑person crew.
• The program targets the first Bollinger‑built hull to be afloat by 2028 and full delivery of all ASC hulls by 2031 while Bollinger spreads module work across a dozen Gulf Coast facilities with final assembly in Houma, Louisiana.
• A parallel Coast Guard effort awarded Davie Defense $3.5 billion for five Multi‑Purpose Polar Support Ships that cut steel in May and will also involve Gulf Coast yards, a move intended to rebuild U.S. icebreaker industrial capacity and add regional jobs.