The United States Coast Guard (US Coast Guard) has awarded contracts for the construction of six Arctic security cutters (ASC).
As disclosed, Finland’s shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) secured the contract under which the company will deliver the first two ASCs. Meanwhile, US shipbuilder Bollinger Shipyards will also construct four ASCs.
The deals are a part of the historic agreement between the United States and Finland to accelerate the delivery of icebreakers to the US Coast Guard. Construction of the vessels will begin immediately, RMC noted.
Two icebreakers will be built at the Rauma shipyard and will be completed in 2028. Satakunta University of Applied Sciences is participating in the project as a training partner. Work on the four Bollinger-built ASCs will be based at its shipyard in Houma, Louisiana.
“The awarded contract marks a historic milestone. It is a major vote of confidence in RMC and in the Finnish maritime industry network. We secured this significant deal thanks to our expertise and capability to build the ships within the required timeframe. Our fast delivery times make us the most affordable option on the market. Now it is time for us and our network to prove ourselves and demonstrate that we are worthy of trust,” said Mika Nieminen , CEO at Rauma Marine Constructions.
“Our focus is straightforward: execute with discipline, manage risk rigorously, and deliver two cutters that are ready to operate in the world’s harshest maritime environment from day one.”
“The program will be Bollinger’s fifth class of cutters built for the Coast Guard, building on our current Sentinel and Polar Security Cutter programs and more than 40 years of experience in delivering over 187 cutters for the service. With clear direction from President Trump and an aggressive delivery timeline, our mission is straightforward: leverage the full strength of our shipbuilding facilities across the Gulf Coast, along with our proven partners, to deliver these cutters on schedule and mission ready on day one,” said Ben Bordelon , President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards.
Under the awards, the companies will construct the Arctic security cutters based on the multi-purpose icebreaker (MPI) design developed by Seaspan Shipyards in collaboration with Aker Arctic Technology.
“Finnish shipyards build the world’s best icebreakers and the largest cruise ships. Securing the icebreaker order for RMC’s shipyard is excellent news for Finland and for our entire maritime industry. The order strengthens the position of Finnish companies in the global value chain, increases Finland’s competitiveness and increases export income,” stated Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Sakari Puisto .
“In the case of icebreakers, RMC’s preparatory work started in the autumn, but now we are moving towards full implementation. The entity formed by the shipyard and an extensive network of subcontractors and partners is unique internationally.”
The ASC is a new class of US Coast Guard medium polar icebreakers that will address America’s urgent national security needs in the Arctic region. ASCs will be capable of continuous icebreaking in heavy Arctic conditions, extended independent operations without resupply, and long-range deployment to safeguard US interests in the Arctic.