Anew strategic partnership has been formed as of July 29, 2025 between Bollinger Shipyards (U.S.), Rauma Shipyards (Finland), Seaspan Shipyards (Canada), and Aker Arctic (Finland) to deliver a state-of-the-art Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) to the U.S. Coast Guard. This collaboration is a significant step towards enhancing Arctic security and reinforcing the U.S. shipbuilding industry’s capacity.
The partnership combines the expertise of four of the world’s leading icebreaker shipbuilders, ensuring that the U.S. Coast Guard will receive the most advanced and efficient Arctic Security Cutter. The joint venture’s goal is to provide a low-risk, fast-delivery solution, giving the U.S. Coast Guard the most reliable and capable vessels, all while transitioning to full U.S. production.
The ICE Pact, a trilateral agreement between the United States, Canada, and Finland, forms the backbone of this partnership. The pact aligns with the U.S. government’s priorities to modernize its icebreaking fleet under President Trump’s “America First” policy. With this plan, the partnership aims to deliver the first ASC within just 36 months, setting a new standard for speed and efficiency in shipbuilding.
“In line with President Trump’s directive to grow and modernize America’s icebreaking fleet, Bollinger is proud to lead this partnership with a focus on speed, quality, certainty and results,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “Speculative designs can derail programs, delay delivery and devastate shipyards. The Seaspan-Aker MPI design is the most mature, construction-ready design available, and we’re bringing proven capability, hard-earned lessons, and unmatched U.S. capacity to get it built. With Bollinger’s access to more than 4,000 skilled workers and over 30 facilities across the country, no one is better positioned to move fast and deliver the Arctic Security Cutter.”
A Strong Partnership with Proven Expertise
Bollinger Shipyards, the largest privately-owned shipbuilder in the U.S., brings decades of expertise to the project. The company is currently building the first heavy icebreaker in the U.S. in half a century and has a long history of delivering nearly 200 vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard. Rauma Shipyards, Finland’s premier ice-class shipyard, is well known for its advanced icebreaking capabilities, while Seaspan Shipyards, the Canadian subsidiary of Washington Companies, is a global leader in icebreaker design and production. Aker Arctic, a pioneer in icebreaking technology, has developed the majority of icebreaker designs currently in operation around the world.
These four organizations bring together an unmatched combination of experience, innovation, and operational excellence, ensuring that the U.S. Coast Guard will receive the best-equipped Arctic vessels available.
“This strategic collaboration presents a unique opportunity to apply our proven capabilities in support of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic mission,” said Mika Nieminen, President and CEO of Rauma Shipyards. “We are fully prepared to begin construction immediately, leveraging a mature design and deep experience in building technically complex vessels for operation in severe winter conditions. With a fully operational production line and world-class facilities, we bring reliability and results—not projections. Beyond construction, Rauma provides added value through crew training, bridge simulator programs, and ice trials to support successful commissioning and elevate the technological and operational capabilities. Together with our partners, we offer a clear and executable path to strengthening America’s presence in the Arctic.”
Fast-Tracking Arctic Security
The ICE Pact framework will not only streamline production but also ensure the ASC program remains rooted in American shipbuilding, allowing for a swift transition to full U.S. production. This approach supports President Trump’s commitment to strengthening America’s industrial base while fostering skills, technology, and expertise in the U.S. shipbuilding workforce.
By leveraging the strengths of this international collaboration, the project guarantees a smooth, rapid path to delivery without compromising quality or performance. The integration of the U.S., Canadian, and Finnish shipbuilding capacities demonstrates a unified commitment to securing the Arctic and advancing global shipbuilding standards.
“We are proud to collaborate with Bollinger, Rauma and Aker Arctic to share our expertise in icebreaker design and engineering with the United States — a historically and close partner with Canada in securing the Arctic,” said John McCarthy, CEO of Seaspan Shipyards. “Together, we’ve assembled the world’s foremost experts in icebreaking construction to deliver a low-risk, mission- ready solution that fully meets the U.S. Coast Guard’s requirements. Together, through the ICE Pact, we’re strengthening Arctic security and advancing the long-term capabilities of our nations’ shipbuilding industries.”
The Seaspan-Aker Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) Design: Ready for Action
At the heart of this project is the Seaspan-Aker Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design, which is optimized to meet all of the U.S. Coast Guard’s requirements. This design not only meets but exceeds the criteria set forth for the ASC program. The MPI boasts the ability to break through four feet of ice, travel 12,000 nautical miles, and operate continuously for over 60 days, making it perfectly suited for the extreme conditions of the Arctic.
Furthermore, the MPI shares a multi-mission design with the Canadian Coast Guard fleet, ensuring the creation of the world’s largest icebreaking class. This alignment will facilitate greater interoperability and simplify maintenance support, enhancing operational readiness across both nations’ fleets.
“We are proud to be part of this collaboration in the development of the USCG’s Arctic Security Cutter icebreakers,” said Mika Hovilainen, CEO Aker Arctic Technology Inc. “This partnership highlights our commitment to advancing maritime security and innovation in the Arctic region. The vessel we are offering has been developed for the Canadian Coast Guard and includes specialized capabilities that are essential for fulfilling the Coast Guard’s missions. Together, we will leverage our expertise to build state-of-the-art icebreakers that meet the highest standards of mission capability and reliability.”
Minimizing Risk, Maximizing Performance
In contrast to other proposed designs that require significant investment and ramp-up time, the MPI is production-ready, minimizing risk and ensuring a faster, more cost-effective delivery. The strategic partnership between the U.S., Canada, and Finland underscores a shared commitment to enhancing Arctic security and bolstering shipbuilding capabilities on both sides of the Atlantic.
By focusing on speed, reliability, and proven design, this initiative exemplifies the ICE Pact’s vision for the future of Arctic security and shipbuilding. The collaboration ensures that the U.S. Coast Guard will be equipped with cutting-edge icebreakers built to withstand the most challenging environments on Earth.
