Bollinger Shipyards and Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) have announced the formation of a strategic partnership called United Shipbuilding Alliance, designed to expedite the design, construction, and delivery of next-generation icebreakers.
Bollinger said the alliance recently responded to the US Coast Guard’s April 11 request for information on potential Arctic security cutters, outlining the utilisation of a commercial vessel for national security purposes that would span 33 months from contract award to delivery.
"The viability and effectiveness of commercial vessel construction for national security purposes have been firmly demonstrated through the recent acquisition of the USCGC Storis," said Bollinger. "The Storis is an American-built icebreaker designed for Arctic conditions and delivered in under three years.
"The proposed commercial acquisition method will save US taxpayers more than 40 per cent by reducing and eliminating excess program bloat, government vendor source selection mandates, and redundant bureaucratic reporting mandates.
"The streamlined approach enables agile execution, smart vendor selection, and the flexibility to shift work across multiple facilities, ensuring projects stay on schedule, minimize disruption, and remain on budget.
"Programs benefit from stable, contract-driven workforces and flexible timelines, with the ability to shift work across multiple facilities to stay on schedule and control costs. In contrast, government acquisition often suffers from regulatory delays, rigid change management, and increased costs.
The alliance would leverage Bollinger and ECO’s 6,000-plus workers across their 33 operational shipyards and fabrication facilities across the Gulf of Mexico.
Between the two companies, they have built and delivered four icebreakers in the last three decades, and Bollinger is currently constructing the polar security cutter series for the US Coast Guard.
“If the mission demands speed, efficiency, and innovation, the answer is clear, let American industry lead,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “The formation of the United Shipbuilding Alliance comes at a pivotal moment and answers President Trump’s call to action in making American Shipbuilding Great Again.
"I am excited by President Trump’s efforts to reinvigorate America’s shipyards. Through his leadership, he has reignited demand, sparked competition, and challenged American industry to rise to the occasion with urgency and creativity.”