Steerprop to supply propulsion for US Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters

Finnish marine propulsion specialist Steerprop has secured an order to supply complete propulsion packages for four Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) being constructed by Bollinger Shipyards for the US Coast Guard.

Each vessel will be equipped with two Steerprop Contra-Rotating Propellers (CRP) azimuth propulsors and two tunnel thrusters. The ships are being built based on an existing Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design and are intended to operate across all US coastlines, with a specific focus on Arctic missions.

Steerprop’s CRP technology is designed to provide high thrust, maneuverability, and ice management performance while reducing fuel consumption. In 2024 model testing, the CRP system demonstrated approximately 10% higher thrust using the same power, or the same thrust with 13.9% lower power, compared to conventional single-propeller systems. The propulsion packages are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029.