July 29, 2025 —
Notional vendor rendering of two waterways commerce cutter variants: a river buoy tender (left) and an inland construction tender. Image courtesy of Birdon America Inc
With the strong support of the Administration and Congress, the Coast Guard is working with Birdon America Inc. to accelerate waterways commerce cutter (WCC) production. This action is supported by funding made available through Public Law 119-21, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes $162 million to procure WCCs.
“The waterways commerce cutters will play a critical role in the Coast Guard’s support of the Marine Transportation System, which facilitates $5.4 trillion in commerce annually and sustains over 30 million jobs,” said Amber Stein, assistant commandant and program executive officer for surface. “We’re excited to be able to deliver these long-needed ships at a faster rate.”
The future WCC fleet is comprised of three variants based on mission set. The 16 river buoy tenders (WLRs) and 11 inland construction tenders (WLICs) are being acquired on a detailed design and construction contract with Birdon America, based out of Bayou La Batre, Alabama.
Construction on the first WLIC began in June 2025, with a keel laying ceremony planned for late summer and delivery in fiscal year 2027. Construction on the first WLR is planned to begin by the end of this fiscal year, and the cutter will be delivered in fiscal year 2027.
The Coast Guard will use the $162 million in funding to increase WLR/WLIC production rates, ordering three cutters ahead of schedule and resulting in faster delivery of these assets to Coast Guard crews. The new tenders – which are replacing an inland tender fleet with an average age of 59 years – will feature a modern hull design and propulsion plant, as well as improved crew habitability.
The WCC fleet will replace the current fleet of inland tenders, which play a vital role in facilitating commerce vital to economic security in the nation’s Marine Transportation System and responding to a crisis or contingency that may come with little or no warning. The WCC fleet will be responsible for maintaining more than 28,000 aids to navigation to support the safe and efficient flow of economic activity along U.S. rivers, lakes, intracoastal waterways and harbors. They will also perform missions in ports, waterways and coastal security; search and rescue; marine safety; and marine environmental protection.
For more information: Waterways Commerce Cutter Program page