Federal Register #MARAD-2026-0496

MARAD Seeks Input on U.S. Shipyard Capabilities for Icebreaker Construction

The Maritime Administration (MARAD), under the Department of Transportation, is seeking industry input to identify U.S. shipyards capable of constructing ice-capable ships and to gather information supporting the domestic development of icebreaker vessels. - Government Buyer: - Maritime Administration (MARAD), Department of Transportation - Collaboration Focus: - Trilateral partnership with Canada and Finland to enhance polar icebreaker capacity - Requested Information: - U.S. shipyard capabilities for building ice-capable ships - Economic impacts on communities and infrastructure (ports, utilities) - Barriers for small and mid-sized suppliers - Incentives, technical assistance, and information-sharing mechanisms - Critical materials, components, and advanced technologies (e.g., AI-enabled design tools, cold-weather materials) - Workforce development and educational programs - Testing facilities and intellectual property protection - National security requirements and contract structures - Financial and policy tools, lessons from past shipbuilding, and multinational cooperation models - Basic research needs and future maintenance/supply chain planning - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named - Emphasis on U.S., Canadian, and Finnish shipbuilding industries - Unique Requirements: - Focus on expanding U.S. shipbuilding for polar vessels - Input sought on technology, workforce, supply chain, and policy aspects - No specific products, part numbers, or quantities listed

Description

This notice requests information from the public to assist the Maritime Administration (MARAD) in identifying U.S. shipyards capable of constructing ice-capable ships and understanding factors necessary to develop and build icebreaker ships domestically. The information will support trilateral collaboration with Canada and Finland to enhance the U.S. capacity to design, produce, and maintain polar icebreakers, while strengthening each country's shipbuilding industrial base. The request covers topics such as economic impacts, infrastructure needs, workforce development, technology priorities, and contract structures to stabilize shipbuilding orderbooks.

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