Bollinger Shipyards and Edison Chouest Offshore have announced the formation of a strategic partnership, the United Shipbuilding Alliance (USA), aimed at accelerating the design, construction, and delivery of next-generation icebreakers to meet urgent U.S. Arctic and national security needs.
“The United Shipbuilding Alliance is proof that American industry can and will deliver faster, better, and more cost-effectively by aligning commercial innovation with national security priorities,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards.
Gary Chouest, President and CEO of Edison Chouest Offshore, echoed the sentiment, calling the alliance “a significant evolution in America’s capacity to rapidly address urgent Arctic operational requirements.”
The announcement follows the U.S. Coast Guard’s Request for Information issued on April 11 for medium-sized icebreakers under the Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) program. These ASC vessels are intended to complement the larger Polar Security Cutters (PSCs) in polar and sub-polar regions, including the High North and Antarctic.
The alliance also reflects continued political momentum behind U.S. icebreaking capability. Bordelon cited former President Donald Trump’s push to reinvigorate American shipyards and expand the U.S. icebreaker fleet, noting his vocal support for boosting domestic shipbuilding capacity.
Currently, the U.S. operates a limited icebreaker fleet: one heavy polar icebreaker, one medium polar icebreaker, and a recently acquired converted commercial icebreaking vessel. In addition, over two dozen smaller vessels provide icebreaking capabilities across inland waterways like the Great Lakes.
Congress has also signaled strong support. Last week, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a reconciliation package that includes nearly $5 billion for Arctic Security Cutters and additional funding for Polar Security Cutters, totaling $4.3 billion.
In March, Bollinger Shipyards was awarded a $951 million contract modification under the Polar Security Cutter program to build a heavy icebreaker, scheduled for delivery by May 2030.