For the first time in over 25 years, the United States Coast Guard has added a new polar icebreaker to its fleet. However, the vessel—built in 2012 and acquired as a stopgap—highlights the urgent need for purpose-built, modern Arctic capabilities.

To accelerate progress, a strategic partnership between Bollinger Shipyards and Edison Chouest Offshore gave rise to the United Shipbuilding Alliance (USA), a collaborative model that is reshaping how the U.S. approaches critical maritime infrastructure. By leveraging commercial agility, shared expertise, and streamlined execution, the alliance aims to deliver the first new Polar Security Cutter by 2030—a milestone essential to U.S. presence and resilience in the polar regions.

This session will explore:

• How public-private collaboration is fueling progress on next-generation icebreakers
• The strategic importance of Arctic-ready vessels in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment
• Lessons learned from the USA model and its implications for broader U.S. shipbuilding revitalization
• Timelines, challenges, and expectations as the U.S. ramps up to meet polar mission demands
• Join this conversation for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most urgent and ambitious shipbuilding efforts underway today—and what it means for the future of American maritime strength in the Arctic.