Seaspan inks deal with Bollinger, Rauma for U.S. Coast Guard ASC program
Press Release
Company's production-ready MPI design to serve as foundation for the U.S. Coast Guard's newest fleet of icebreakers
Jan. 7, 2026 - North Vancouver, B.C. - Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) is announcing signed agreements with Bollinger Shipyards (Bollinger) and Rauma Marine Constructions Oy (Rauma) to provide its proven Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design and associated supply chain packages to enable rapid construction and delivery of up to six vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard's Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) program.
Rauma will build up to two vessels in Finland with delivery expected in 2028 under the contracts formally announced by the U.S. Coast Guard last week. Bollinger will construct up to four cutters in the U.S; the first U.S.-built vessel is expected in 2029.
Seaspan's MPI design, developed in partnership with Aker Arctic Technology Inc. of Finland (Aker) and under Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), is ready for production enabling construction on the ASC program to begin immediately. Originally designed for the Canadian Coast Guard's (CCG) long-range, multi-mission operations in extreme Arctic conditions, the Polar Class 4 icebreakers are an excellent match for the dynamic range of U.S. Coast Guard missions.
Design and engineering of the MPI was completed almost entirely in Canada. Seaspan has also already selected many of the program's system and equipment suppliers as a part of that process. Using this established design and existing supply chain, which includes many Canadian companies, allows the ASC program to move quickly and meet the delivery schedules for the U.S. Coast Guard.
"The MPI design is a true success story under Canada's NSS," Seaspan Shipyards' CEO John McCarthy said. "The interoperability resulting from a common design and supply chain between the Canadian and American coast guard fleets will create countless opportunities for collaboration throughout the vessels' operational lives, aligning with the greater goals outlined in the trilateral ICE Pact framework and generating significant lifecycle cost savings for both countries."
Seaspan is a world leader in icebreaker design and construction. The company's current orderbook includes the largest portfolio of icebreaking vessels in the world under the NSS including a PC2 heavy polar icebreaker and up to 16 Multi-Purpose Icebreakers. The MPI design was completed almost entirely in Canada by Seaspan's world-class icebreaker design team. Seaspan has already delivered four ice-capable vessels for Canada under the NSS. Its most recent delivery was of the CCG's Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel completed in 2025.
About Seaspan Shipyards
Seaspan is a leader in Canada's ship design, engineering, building and ship repair industry. With modern facilities and a dedicated Canadian workforce of about 5.700 in North Vancouver and Victoria including almost 400 in its design and engineering team, the company is a trusted and strategic partner on a range of complex projects for both government and the private sector. With a total orderbook of 21 icebreaking vessels - including up to 16 MPIs for the Canadian Coast Guard - Seaspan is Canada's foremost leader in design and construction of Polar Class vessels.
I am happy and bit concerned as well. I rather the US not be as ice capable as Canada, I think eventually we will, but they might be some parity there for awhile and politically that might be an issue down the road.
From a onboard ship perspective, I think it will be great for the CCG and USCG crews to be able to work closely together and that Canadian companies are benefitting.