Bollinger and Edison Chouest launch United Shipbuilding Alliance to support Arctic operations

Bollinger Shipyards and Edison Chouest Offshore have announced the formation of the United Shipbuilding Alliance (USA), a strategic partnership aimed at constructing next-generation icebreakers to renew the ageing US icebreaker fleet. The alliance brings together two major players in commercial vessel construction to offer a streamlined design-to-delivery model for the US Coast Guard and other federal stakeholders.

The initiative follows a response to the U.S. Coast Guard’s April request for information regarding Arctic-capable vessels. The strategy is based on using commercial vessel acquisition methods to speed up delivery timelines – targeting a 33-month window from contract award to delivery. This is aimed at reducing costs through flexible execution and reduced bureaucracy.

Bollinger and Edison Chouest have a combined workforce of over 6,000 across 33 US shipyards and fabrication sites. Their shared record includes four icebreaker deliveries over the past three decades. Bollinger is also leading the US Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter programme after acquiring the previous contractor in 2022.

The alliance argues that its commercial model offers faster delivery and lower costs than traditional US Government procurement. By shifting work between yards and avoiding redundant reporting processes, the partners aim to stabilise schedules and budgets while maintaining US-built vessel standards for national security missions.