Page 35: of Marine News Magazine (January 2026)

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Feature

U.S. Shipbuilding Deals tion, de? ned in numerous ways, between overseas yards six Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) icebreakers, with contracts with shipbuilders in the U.S., is an obvious pathway. awarded to Rauma Marine Constructions Oy (RMC) of

Rauma, Finland, and Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, L.L.C. (ICE)Breaking the Path of Lockport, Louisiana. The dearth of meaningful icebreak-

While domestically there is perpetual grumbling among er capacity has been a b2b news lead for years, fast-tracked

U.S. shipyards that external cooperation is not needed, the to mainstream media and consciousness in 2025 when icebreaker design and construction market is a prime ex- President Trump retook the White House and prioritized ample highlighting the value of international partnerships. shipbuilding. The Arctic Security Cutters ordered will be

National security concerns surrounding ice-breakers designed to defend U.S. sovereignty, secure critical shipping continues to loom large. A November, 2025 Executive lanes, protect energy and mineral resources, and counter ad-

Action memo from the White House allowing construc- versaries’ strong and growing presence in the Arctic region. tion of up to four Arctic Security Cutters in foreign yards, “America has been an Arctic nation for more than signed by the President, stated that:, “The United States 150 years, and we’re ? nally acting like it under President

Coast Guard’s ? eet of icebreakers and Arctic-capable ves- Trump,” said Secretary Kristi Noem when announcing the sels remains insuf? cient to meet current operational de- deal. “Our adversaries continue to look to grow their pres- mands and presents a national security risk.” ence in the Arctic, equipping the Coast Guard with Arc-

With construction of up to 11 vessels hoped for under tic Security Cutters will help reassert American maritime this program, the remaining seven vessels would be built dominance there.” from a U.S. yard. Earlier in 2025, U.S. stalwart Bollinger The contract with Rauma Marine Constructions Oy in- had announced a partnership for delivering Arctic Security cludes up to two ASCs to be built in Finland, with deliv-

Cutters to the Coast Guard, in conjunction with Cana- ery of the ? rst vessel expected in 2028. The contract with dian builder Seaspan (actually tied to U.S. investors The Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, L.L.C. includes up to four

Washington Companies) and Finland’s Rauma Marine ASCs to be built in the United States, with delivery of the

Constructions and engineering specialist Aker Arctic. Bol- ? rst domestically built cutter expected in 2029. linger, presently building a Polar Security Cutter for the “Due to our fast delivery time, we are the most afford-

USCG, stressed the importance of using proven designs, able option on the market,” RMC CEO Mika Nieminen with Bollinger President/CEO Ben Bordelon, President was quoted by Reuters, calling the deal a historic mile- and CEO emphasizing:. “Speculative designs can derail stone. “Finnish shipyards build the world’s best icebreakers programs, delay delivery and devastate shipyards.” and largest cruise ships. Securing this icebreaker order is a

As 2025 drew to a close, the U.S. Coast Guard formal- great thing for Finland and our entire maritime industry,” ized the partnership between the U.S. and Finland with the said Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto in announcement of the award of two contracts to build up to the same report.

US Coast Guard, Ashly Murphy www.marinelink.com MN 35|

Ice-breaker USCG STORIS