The Coast Guard has advanced the acquisition of the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) class, intended to replace the legacy fleet of inland tenders.
The service ordered production of the first river buoy tender (WLR) and long lead time material (LLTM) for the second inland construction tender (WLIC), with construction to take place at Birdon America, Inc.’s shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Alabama.
An additional order covers three sets of LLTM to support future production. The combined value of production and LLTM orders amounts to about $110 million.
Funding includes $51 million under Public Law 119-21, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which covers production of the second WLIC and two sets of LLTM.
The remainder is funded through regular appropriations.
“Our nation’s marine transportation system facilitates over $5.4 trillion in economic activity every year and supports millions of jobs throughout the United States,” said Rear Adm. Mike Campbell, the Coast Guard’s Director of Systems Integration and Chief Acquisition Officer. “Putting new waterways commerce cutters on contract ensures we have the capabilities needed to support the safe and efficient flow of commerce in our inland waterways systems.”
Inland construction tenders are used to construct, repair and maintain fixed aids to navigation (ATON) along the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast.
Construction of the first WLIC, ordered in June 2025, is scheduled for completion in 2027.
River buoy tenders service ATON on the Western Rivers, adjusting buoys and maintaining fixed navigation aids. Construction of the first WLR is also expected to conclude in 2027. Both vessel types are being procured under one contract due to their design similarities.
The WCC program will replace inland tenders with an average age of nearly 60 years, including vessels still operating at 81 years.
The Coast Guard inland fleet maintains more than 28,200 navigation aids across 12,000 miles of inland waterways, enabling the movement of about 630 million tons of cargo annually.
U.S. Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and operates under the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime. It serves as a military, law enforcement, regulatory, and intelligence agency with jurisdiction over maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.
