Great Lakes Shipbuilders Form Alliance to Compete for Coast Guard Contract

Donjon Marine, Fincantieri Marine Group, and Fraser Shipyards team up to bid on new icebreaker project.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:53pm

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A highly detailed, photorealistic studio photograph of a polished chrome ship's propeller resting on a clean white background, conveying the industrial strength and precision of the shipbuilding trade.A gleaming ship's propeller, a symbol of the Great Lakes shipbuilding industry's renewed efforts to compete for lucrative government contracts.Erie Today

Three shipbuilding companies from the Great Lakes region - Donjon Marine Company, Fincantieri Marine Group, and Fraser Shipyards - have formed a new alliance called the 'Fourth Coast Shipbuilding Alliance' to jointly compete for a U.S. Coast Guard contract to build seven new light icebreakers. The alliance aims to leverage their combined capabilities to address a national need to bolster domestic shipbuilding and bring new opportunities to the Great Lakes area.

Why it matters

China has surpassed the U.S. as the world's largest shipbuilding country, and this new alliance represents an effort by Great Lakes shipbuilders to regain a stronger foothold in the industry. Winning the Coast Guard icebreaker contract could have positive economic impacts for the Erie, Pennsylvania region and the broader Great Lakes area.

The details

The three shipyards - Donjon Marine Company, Fincantieri Marine Group, and Fraser Shipyards - will work together to respond to the government's request for information on the Coast Guard icebreaker project. If they are selected, each yard would take on the construction of a portion of the seven vessels. The alliance believes their combined capabilities can help them efficiently and effectively deliver the project.

  • This week, Donjon Marine Company announced the formation of the 'Fourth Coast Shipbuilding Alliance'.
  • The alliance plans to respond to the government's request for information on the Coast Guard icebreaker project in the near future.

The players

Donjon Marine Company

An Erie, Pennsylvania-based shipyard that is part of the new Fourth Coast Shipbuilding Alliance.

Fincantieri Marine Group

A Wisconsin-based shipbuilder that is part of the new Fourth Coast Shipbuilding Alliance.

Fraser Shipyards

A Wisconsin-based shipbuilder that is part of the new Fourth Coast Shipbuilding Alliance.

John Witte

President & CEO of Donjon Marine Company.

Julie Slomski

Executive Director of the Erie Western PA Port Authority.

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What they’re saying

“The present Trump Administration has recognized the need to increase our shipyard capability, something that we used to rule the world in, and we've let diminish over the past 20 to 30 years.”

— John Witte, President & CEO, Donjon Marine Company

“Each one of the three yards involved would take a number of the vessels, if we're lucky enough to get them through bid, build them, and show that the Great Lakes shipbuilding community is viable, is talented, and is capable and ready to continue to help the needs of the United States.”

— John Witte, President & CEO, Donjon Marine Company

“The East Coast, West Coast, Gulf Coast, now the fourth coast, the Great Lakes locking arms is so important. This is exciting, from a Great Lakes perspective and especially here in Erie leading to more jobs and more opportunities. If they can secure this contract and others, it would be great.”

— Julie Slomski, Executive Director, Erie Western PA Port Authority

What’s next

The Fourth Coast Shipbuilding Alliance plans to respond to the government's request for information on the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker project in the near future. If selected, the three shipyards will work together to efficiently deliver the seven new light icebreakers.

The takeaway

This new alliance between Great Lakes shipbuilders represents an effort to regain a stronger foothold in the U.S. shipbuilding industry and bring new economic opportunities to the region. Winning the Coast Guard icebreaker contract could have a significant positive impact on the local economy in Erie and across the Great Lakes.