Fincantieri, Fraser, Donjon form Great Lakes shipbuilding alliance

Fincantieri Marine Group, which operates three Great Lakes shipyards, and two other Great Lakes shipbuilders, Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wis., and Donjon Marine in Erie, Pa., have established a collaborative framework aimed at bringing new shipbuilding programs and technology to the “Fourth Coast,” aligning with the Trump administration’s efforts to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity.

The three shipbuilders plan to work together to compete for a U.S. Coast Guard contract to build a new Homeland Security Cutter, a light icebreaker. Fincantieri is expected to lead the effort alongside its Great Lakes partners and additional companies that may join the initiative.

“Our initial goal is to provide the Coast Guard with a ready-to-build solution for its seven new light icebreakers, and we welcome others to join us on this and other potential projects as we collectively bring significant work to the Fourth Coast,” said Fincantieri Marine Group CEO George Moutafis. “The alliance of these accomplished shipbuilders remains open to other Great Lakes companies, especially those with maritime technology and manufacturing expertise.”

The alliance is intended to accelerate collaboration among regional shipbuilders and maritime companies while supporting the adoption of new shipbuilding technologies.

“This Great Lakes Shipyard alliance will encourage quick mobilization and collaboration among shipbuilders and maritime companies operating in the region as we adopt new ship building technologies,” said Fraser Shipyards CEO Patrick Kelly. “The Trump Administration has proposed Maritime Prosperity Zones to facilitate stronger relationships among industry partners and communities to increase industrial capacity at a time of renewed investment in domestic shipbuilding.”

Donjon Marine President and CEO John Witte Jr. said the partnership reflects a broader push to strengthen domestic industrial capacity.

“Donjon Shipbuilding is excited to stand alongside Fincantieri Marine Group and Fraser Shipyards in building a stronger future for American shipbuilding on the Fourth Coast,” Witte said. “This alliance reflects the kind of collaboration required to expand domestic industrial capacity and deliver important national shipbuilding programs.”

Fincantieri operates three Great Lakes shipyards in northeast Wisconsin that have worked together on multiple shipbuilding programs for nearly two decades. The company said its multi-yard operating model could serve as a blueprint for linking production sites and strengthening the domestic supply chain across the Fourth Coast to accelerate delivery of new vessels.