Bollinger Shipyards has officially received the green light to commence full production on the U.S. Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter (PSC). This new initiative aims to modernize the Coast Guard’s aging fleet of icebreaker vessels that have been in service since the 1970s. The PSCs will play a crucial role in ensuring maritime security and providing logistical support in Arctic, Antarctic, and similar environments.
The inaugural vessel, designated the USCGC Polar Sentinel (WMSP-21), is slated for delivery in 2030 and will be stationed in Seattle, Washington, alongside its future sister ships. Construction on the Polar Sentinel began in December 2024, and earlier this year, Bollinger accepted a significant contract modification worth $951.6 million to accelerate the detailed design and assembly phases of the program.
Bollinger Shipyards’ CEO and President Ben Bordelon expressed the significance of this milestone, noting that the approval for full production reflects the U.S. Government’s trust in Bollinger to deliver the nation’s first heavy polar icebreaker in almost five decades. He emphasized the dedication of the team at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding in ensuring that this essential national security asset is built by American workers.
Currently, the U.S. Coast Guard operates a solitary heavy icebreaker, the USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10), along with a medium-class icebreaker, the USCGC Healy (WAGB-20), for missions in polar regions. To maintain operational capability until the new PSCs are operational, the Coast Guard announced in April that it is finalizing a life extension overhaul for the Polar Star. In January, the aging fleet also saw the addition of the USCGC Storis, a commercially modified icebreaker serving as a temporary replacement for the first-generation polar cutters.
The PSCs will be substantial vessels, measuring 460 feet (140 meters) in length with an 86-foot (26 meters) beam. They will have accommodations for over 180 personnel and include space for a maritime helicopter, designed for extended missions lasting up to 90 days. The new cutters will be equipped with 30-millimeter autocannons and 12.7-millimeter crew-served machine guns for enhanced security capabilities.
In terms of power, the PSC will feature a robust 45,000-horsepower diesel-electric engine, allowing the vessel to maneuver through ice sheets up to 8 feet (2 meters) thick at a sustained speed of approximately 3 knots (3.4 miles/5.5 kilometers per hour). This significant investment in icebreaker technology aims to bolster the U.S. Coast Guard’s operational readiness in increasingly challenging polar environments.
