![Rendering of two waterways commerce cutter variants: a river buoy tender (left) and an inland construction tender (right). [Image: Birdon America Inc.]](https://www.marinelog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Birdon_WCC-300x225.jpg)
USCG awards Birdon America $110M in new WCC orders
The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing to move forward with the acquisition of the new waterways commerce cutter (WCC) class that will replace the legacy fleet of inland tenders and has ordered
Waterways Commerce Cutter
FMD’s Hunt Valve selected to supply valves for Waterways Commerce Cutters
Hunt Valve, part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense portfolio, will supply critical valve and actuator systems for two new Coast Guard vessels. It has secured a contract from Birdon to supply key
DHS approves full production of first Polar Security Cutter
The Department of Homeland Security this week approved full production of the first U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC). The Coast Guard also received DHS approval for low-rate initial production of
Tony Ardito named president of Birdon America
Birdon Group reports that Tony Ardito has become the new president of Birdon America, effective January 27, 2025. Ardito, who has held key leadership positions at BAE Systems and Austal USA, brings
Birdon buys Metal Shark Bayou La Batre shipyard
Australia’s Birdon Group reports that its Birdon America Inc. subsidiary has acquired Metal Shark Boats’ 32-acre Bayou La Batre shipyard in Alabama. It says that the acquisition brings a fully developed shipyard
GAO denies bid protest of waterways commerce cutter award
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has rejected a bid protest filed by Steiner Construction Company, Inc., a small business of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, against the continued performance of a contract awarded
Birdon names Spencer Johnson ship design director
Former Austal USA chief naval architect Spencer Johnson has joined Birdon as its ship design director. In that role, he will lead Birdon’s engineering and integrated product teams as they work to
Master Boat Builders to build Waterways Commerce Cutter superstructures
Birdon America, Inc. has selected Master Boat Builders, Inc. of Coden, Alabama, to build the superstructure for the Coast Guard’s Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program. Birdon has a contract worth a potential
Coast Guard budget request funds key shipbuilding programs
Highlights of the Department of Homeland Security’s 2022 budget request for the U.S. Coast Guard include $170 million to fund Polar Security Cutter program management and provide for long lead time materials
USCG issues waterways commerce cutter RFP
The U.S. Coast Guard Acquisition Directorate reports that the Coast Guard waterways commerce cutter (WCC) program released a request for proposal (RFP) on April 30 for the design and construction of its