Bollinger Shipyards announced on Tuesday that it has been awarded a $951.6 million contract to construct the United States’ first new heavy polar icebreaker in almost 50 years. This significant contract marks the advancement of the detailed design and construction phase within the U.S. Coast Guard polar security cutter (PSC) program. The first vessel, the USCGC Polar Sentinel (WMSP-21), is expected to be completed by 2030.
The program, managed by the Navy in conjunction with the Coast Guard, is designed to replace an aging icebreaker fleet that currently includes the heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star and the medium icebreaker USCGC Healy. These older vessels are experiencing mechanical struggles and escalating maintenance costs.
"Bollinger's achievement of this contract marks the deep trust that the U.S. government has placed in our capabilities to deliver the first heavy polar icebreaker in half a century," stated Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards . Despite its significant progress, the PSC build program has faced numerous delays and cost increases since originally awarding a contract to VT Halter Marine in 2019. Initial delivery timelines have been pushed from 2024 to 2030.
As of 2024, the projected procurement cost for the first three vessels, including the USCGC Polar Bear and the USCGC Polar Glacier, has ballooned to approximately $5.1 billion, considerably exceeding initial projections. This increase reflects the complex challenges in reviving and completing the icebreaker program.
Since acquiring Halter Marine in 2022, Bollinger Shipyards has been actively working to bring the PSC build program back on track. In 2023, the company initiated construction on several prototype modules and has been enhancing its workforce capabilities. Bollinger has notably expanded its Mississippi workforce by over 61%, with significant growth in production roles.
Work on the PSC is set to take place primarily in Pascagoula, Mississippi, as well as other locations, including Boston, Peoria, and New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard continues to bolster its Arctic operations, having acquired the Aiviq, an equivalent commercial polar class 3 icebreaker, slated for service in 2026 as the USCGC Storis. This acquisition underscores the Coast Guard's commitment to strengthening its presence in polar regions amidst ongoing fleet expansions.