Bollinger and ECO Form Shipbuilding Alliance

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, announced May 6 the formation of a strategic partnership called United Shipbuilding Alliance (USA). The companies said a private partnership can produce urgently needed icebreakers for the Coast Guard faster than previously possible.

The partnership is designed to expedite the design, construction and delivery of icebreakers, which the Coast Guard calls the Arctic Security Cutter, to directly meet urgent Arctic operational needs. USA recently responded to the U.S. Coast Guard’s April 11 request for information titled, “Arctic Security Cutter (ASC): Icebreaking Capable Vessels or Vessel Designs that are Ready for Construction,” outlining an acquisition process that would span 33 months from contract award to delivery.

According to Bollinger and ECO, the proposed commercial acquisition method could save U.S. taxpayers more than 40 percent by reducing and eliminating excess program bloat, government vendor source selection mandates and redundant 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,” the companies said in the announcement. “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.”

“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.”

Gary Chouest, president and CEO of Edison Chouest Offshore, echoed that confidence in the new partnership’s possibilities.

“The creation of the United Shipbuilding Alliance represents a significant evolution in America’s capacity to rapidly address urgent Arctic operational requirements,” Chouest said. “Our collaboration underscores a dedicated commitment to ensuring America retains a decisive edge in maritime capabilities and enhancing national security within the increasingly strategic Arctic region.”

USA will leverage the combined 144 years of expertise and capacity of Bollinger and ECO’s 6,000-plus workers across 33 shipyards and fabrication facilities scattered across the Gulf Coast. The two companies have built and delivered four icebreakers in the last three decades, and Bollinger is currently constructing the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Bollinger took over the struggling PSC program in late 2022 when it acquired Singapore-owned VT Halter, which had amassed more than a quarter of a billion dollars in losses over the first three years of the program. Last week, Bollinger announced it has received approval from the U.S. Coast Guard to begin full production activities on the PSC program, underscoring the confidence the U.S. government places in Bollinger to deliver the nation’s first heavy polar icebreaker in nearly 50 years. Bollinger has delivered more than 180 vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard in its more than 40 years of building for the U.S. government.

“It is critically important that any vessel transporting U.S. servicemembers and projecting American power abroad be built here in the United States,” Bordelon said. “The United Shipbuilding Alliance is proof that American industry can and will deliver faster, better and more cost-effectively by aligning commercial innovation with national security priorities. Together with our partners at Edison Chouest Offshore, we’re leveraging our combined experience, infrastructure and skilled American workforce to give the United States the tools it needs to lead in the Arctic.”