Icebreakers fast-track budget

President Donald Trump’s submitted FY 2018 budget request would continue fast-track development of a new Coast Guard icebreaker. A proposed $19M for an icebreaker contract would be a next step in having six heavy and medium icebreakers. The CG has one of each. Russia has 40. A shipbuilder hasn't been selected, but the CG awarded contracts in February to five companies - Bollinger Shipyard of Lockport, La.; Fincantieri Marine Group of Washington, D.C.; General Dynamics/National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. of San Diego; Huntington Ingalls Industries and VT Halter Marine, both off Pascagoula, Miss. - to study various approaches to designing icebreakers with an eye toward lower costs and tighter schedules. (Source: Daily Press 05/23/17)