The U.S. Coast Guard has officially started building its first Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) at Sata Shipbuilding's yard in Pori, Finland. This marks the beginning of a shipbuilding initiative that aims to make the Coast...
The U.S. Coast Guard has officially started building its first Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) at Sata Shipbuilding's yard in Pori, Finland. This marks the beginning of a shipbuilding initiative that aims to make the Coast Guard one of the most capable Arctic maritime forces in the world.
This cutter is the first of 11 Arctic Security Cutters that the United States has contracted as part of two different procurement programs, led by Bollinger Shipyards and Canada’s Davie.
The Coast Guard has hired Bollinger to construct six Arctic Security Cutters, while Davie has been tasked with building five, two of which will be produced at its Finnish subsidiary, Helsinki Shipyard, acquired in 2023. These contracts represent the largest investment in U.S. icebreaking capabilities in many years as the government aims to boost its presence in the rapidly evolving Arctic region.
The cutter currently under construction is part of the five vessels assigned to Davie and will be built through a collaboration between Helsinki Shipyard and Sata Shipbuilding, functioning as an integrated shipbuilder. The $3.5 billion contract was finalized just last month.
In this partnership, Helsinki Shipyard manages engineering, design, final assembly, and outfitting, while Sata Shipbuilding focuses on steel production and the construction of heavy block structures.
The first two Arctic Security Cutters from Davie's contract will be built in Finland, with production later moving to the upcoming “Icebreaker Factory” in Texas for the last three vessels. Ground was broken for the Texas facility on June 1.
Davie states that the building process in Finland will help kickstart the program, allowing for the first vessel to be delivered by 2028. Meanwhile, U.S. shipbuilders will collaborate with Finnish teams to gain specialized expertise in icebreaker construction before manufacturing begins in Texas.