Bollinger Shipyards has secured a firm-fixed-price contract valued at $2.14 billion from the U.S. Coast Guard for the production of four Arctic security cutters.
The contract covers design, program management, operations and maintenance technical data, spare parts and training support, according to an award notice posted on SAM.gov Monday.
The award follows a request for information the Coast Guard issued in April for the production and design of icebreaking capable vessels. In the RFI documents, the military service detailed that it requires a ship capable of independently breaking through 3 feet of ice at a speed of 3 knots. The ship must also have a flight deck and hangar that can accommodate an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter.
Bollinger Shipyards is expected to deliver the first domestically built cutter in 2029.
How Will Arctic Security Cutters Support Coast Guard Missions?
The Coast Guard said Monday that the contracts will enable troops to navigate ice-covered waters, protect energy and mineral resources and critical shipping lanes, counter adversaries in the Arctic and reinforce U.S. sovereignty.
“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,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient, commented. “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.”
The Coast Guard also awarded a contract to Finnish company Rauma Marine Constructions Oy to build two Arctic security cutters, with delivery expected to begin in 2028. The award is part of the United States-Finland partnership to enhance Arctic defense.
