Mississippi Gulf News

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced a $951 million contract modification awarded to Bollinger Mississippi Shipyards for the continued development of the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program. This investment aims to enhance America's national security presence in the Arctic and highlights Mississippi's role in domestic shipbuilding.

"Bollinger Mississippi Shipyards' contract to advance the Polar Security Cutter program is a major win for America’s maritime strength and Arctic presence," said Ezell, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. "This historic investment ensures our Coast Guard has the tools needed to protect America’s sovereignty, our national security, and keep vital trade routes open."

Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, remarked on increased maritime activity in the Arctic: "As maritime activity increases in the Arctic, Russia and China are patrolling the region with new and capable icebreakers. American leadership in the Arctic requires a new fleet of Coast Guard cutters that can reliably represent and protect our national interests in the region."

The contract supports operations at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding with contributions from facilities across Massachusetts, Illinois, Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, and other regions. The completion of PSC is expected by May 2030.

The PSC represents the first heavy polar icebreaker built in nearly five decades in the United States. It will provide enhanced operational capability in polar regions, playing a critical role in safeguarding national security and supporting maritime interests.

Currently, the Coast Guard's operational polar icebreaking fleet includes one heavy icebreaker, commissioned in 1976, and one medium icebreaker, commissioned in 1999. A commercially available polar icebreaker was recently acquired to bolster mission capability in the Arctic.