Philly Shipyard, FMG team up for USCG icebreaker’s construction

Philly Shipyard is teaming with Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG) to compete for the detail design and construction of the next generation heavy polar icebreaker for the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

The USCG recently selected five shipyards to each conduct an industry study to help refine the vessel’s key features and performance requirements. Over the next year, FMG and Philly Shipyard, along with the naval architecture and marine engineering firm, VARD, will develop a baseline icebreaker design, cost estimate and project schedule and then refine them based on the results of the technical studies and corresponding feedback from the USCG.

The various industry studies will help the USCG finalize a ship specification and project plan that will support its mission objectives and responsibilities in the polar regions and that will enable them to acquire one or more heavy polar icebreakers that are affordable to build, operate, and maintain. The USCG plans to award a single contract for design and construction of the heavy polar icebreaker in fiscal year 2019, subject to appropriations.

“We could not have asked for better partners in this project than FMG and VARD, which both have a long history of successful work for the U.S. and other governments around the world,” said Philly Shipyard CEO Steinar Nerbovik, “and this is an ideal opportunity to apply our knowledge and expertise in commercial ship construction to a U.S. government program.”