Icebreakers – Professional Mariner

06 May

Bollinger, Chouest form alliance for next-gen icebreakers

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding

(WASHINGTON) — Bollinger Shipyards, the largest privately owned and operated shipbuilder and vessel repair company in the United States, and Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO), a global leader in advanced commercial vessel construction and operation, on Tuesday announced the formation of a strategic partnership called the United Shipbuilding Alliance (USA). This partnership is designed to offer a fully integrated solution to…

05 May

Bollinger to begin full production of polar security cutter

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday approved full production of the first U.S. Coast Guard polar security cutter (PSC). The service also received approval for low-rate initial production of the waterways commerce cutter (WCC). This is a significant milestone for the nation, as it brings the Coast Guard closer to renewing and enhancing operational capabilities in both…

03 Apr

Polar Star back in U.S. after 28th Antarctic deployment

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(SAN FRANCISCO) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew returned to the United States on Sunday, arriving in San Francisco following a 128-day deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze (ODF) 2025. Polar Star completed its 28th voyage to Antarctica in support of the joint military service mission to resupply and maintain the…

26 Mar

Bollinger secures contract modification for polar icebreakers

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding

(PASCAGOULA, Miss.) — Bollinger Shipyards has received a $951.6 million fixed-price incentive-firm target (FPIF) contract modification from the U.S. Coast Guard, advancing the detail design and construction phase of the polar security cutter (PSC) program. This milestone underscores Bollinger’s integral role in strengthening America’s maritime presence and operational capabilities in the Arctic. “Securing this contract modification has truly been a…

11 Mar

Canada taps Davie for second new polar icebreaker

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding

(LEVIS, Quebec) — The government of Canada has awarded a $3.25 billion contract to Chantier Davie Canada for the construction a polar icebreaker under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). This marks a significant milestone in strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security. As part of its fleet renewal plan, the Canadian Coast Guard is acquiring two polar icebreakers. The other polar…

10 Mar

Seaspan to build heavy polar icebreaker for Canada

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding

(NORTH VANCOUVER, British Columbia) — Seaspan Shipyards has been awarded the construction contract to build one of the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) new heavy polar icebreakers. The polar icebreaker will be built entirely in Canada at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards, located in North Vancouver, British Columbia. With the contract now in place, Seaspan is ready to cut steel on this ship…

23 Dec

Coast Guard takes ownership of icebreaker Aiviq

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard has accepted ownership of the motor vessel Aiviq, a 360-foot Polar class 3-equivalent icebreaker, from an Edison Chouest Offshore subsidiary. The vessel, acquired Dec. 11, will enhance U.S. operational presence in the Arctic and support Coast Guard missions while awaiting delivery of the polar security cutter (PSC) class. Upon commissioning, the ship will be…

14 Dec

Healy back in Seattle after three-phase Arctic deployment

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(SEATTLE) — The crew aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy (WAGB 20) returned to Seattle on Thursday following a 73-day Arctic deployment supporting scientific research missions, search and rescue operations, and training exercises in the region. The crew aboard Healy, a 420-foot polar icebreaker, conducted three distinct phases of activity throughout the cutter’s 2024 Arctic fall deployment. The first…

13 Nov

U.S., Canada, Finland sign deal to develop polar icebreakers

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — Officials representing the governments of the United States, Canada and Finland signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday to begin working together to develop world-class Arctic and polar icebreakers through the exchange of knowledge, information and resources. The landmark agreement builds off the launch of the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, President…

03 Oct

Healy heads back to Arctic after engine room fire

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(SEATTLE) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy (WAGB 20) departed Seattle on Tuesday, beginning a months-long Arctic deployment. Healy’s earlier science mission was cut short due to an onboard electrical fire. Healy returned to Seattle for an inspection and repairs. The crew will support scientists conducting three distinct science missions during Healy’s fall 2024 Arctic deployment. Other science of…