Competition for Military Icebreakers Amid Controversies
While numerous shipbuilders have submitted bids amounting to billions for government contracts to produce military icebreakers, one firm, Bollinger Shipyards, is vying for this opportunity despite a history of issues with the U.S. government.
Following the recent signing of a significant bill on the Fourth of July, over $8 billion has been allocated for constructing up to three new heavy icebreakers, three medium polar icebreakers, and ten medium to light icebreakers. This is a considerable financial commitment, indicating the government’s serious interest in enhancing Arctic capabilities.
As emphasized in a press release from the Department of Homeland Security, icebreakers are crucial to maintaining U.S. presence in the Arctic—an area where adversities are increasing, particularly regarding the exploitation of natural resources and emerging trade routes.
As companies raced to acquire these coveted contracts, Bollinger Shipyards aimed to secure funding to build three medium icebreakers. Success in this bid could mean a $3.5 billion contract for the company.
Bollinger, established in 1946, carries a lengthy history, marked by past bailouts and controversies. In 2022, Bollinger acquired VT Halter Marine, along with a $745 million contract initially awarded in 2019 to construct a heavy icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard. Following the acquisition, an additional $951.6 million was provided to address unexpected costs, resulting in the project’s overall expenses more than doubling, with the ship still incomplete.
Ben Bordelon, the company’s president and CEO, referred to the contract modifications as indicative of the “incredible trust” placed in Bollinger by the U.S. government—a noteworthy sentiment given the company’s rocky history with government contracts.
In the past, Bollinger has faced challenges with the U.S. government; in 2015, it settled a false claims lawsuit for $8.5 million. The U.S. accused the company of misrepresenting certain aspects of a patrol boat delivered to the Coast Guard, raising concerns about the integrity of their contracts.
In a statement regarding the lawsuit, Tony West, an Assistant Attorney General, pointed out the significant risks involved when companies use falsehoods to secure contracts, emphasizing the potential harm to those safeguarding U.S. borders.
In 2025, Bollinger also paid over $1 million to settle claims relating to improperly using workers who were not authorized to work in the U.S. Furthermore, a prior ruling in 2010 indicated that Bollinger was liable for compensating injuries sustained by undocumented workers on their job sites, revealing ongoing questions about labor practices within the company.
