WASHINGTON – The Coast Guard awarded a $173.7 million contract to The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company to advance a major modernization of Base Seattle, strengthening the shore infrastructure needed to homeport and sustain the Service’s future polar security cutters.
Awarded by the Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center, the contract funds Phase 1B of the modernization effort. Work includes construction of a new pier at Slip 36B, structural enhancements, and utility and electrical upgrades.
The contract is funded through Fiscal Year 2025 budget reconciliation funding.
“Modernizing Base Seattle is critical to ensuring our Coast Guard has the infrastructure required to support the next generation of cutters and the missions they will perform in the Arctic and across the Pacific,” said Adm. Thomas G. Allan Jr., Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard. “This investment strengthens our ability to homeport and maintain polar security cutters, enhances readiness for our growing surface fleet, and ensures our crews have the facilities they need to meet the Nation’s evolving maritime security needs.”
Base Seattle is key to Coast Guard operations in the Pacific Northwest and supports cutter operations, logistics, maintenance and personnel assigned to regional and national missions.
The latest award builds on the Coast Guard’s initial Base Seattle modernization contract, announced in September 2025, and continues a multiyear effort to prepare the base for Arctic and Antarctic operations.
Phase 1B includes dredging Slip 36 and building two modernized major cutter berths capable of hosting polar security cutters. The initial modernization contract award, Phase 1A, is 26% complete. Phases 1A and 1B remain on schedule for completion in Fiscal Year 2029.
Phase 1C is in the planning stages. Together, the first three phases are scheduled for completion in 2030, positioning Base Seattle to support delivery of the first polar security cutter. The full modernization project will deliver four major cutter berths for the Coast Guard’s growing surface fleet.
For media inquiries contact mediarelations@uscg.mil.
###
About the U.S. Coast Guard
With more than 95,000 miles of shoreline, 25,000 miles of navigable rivers and 4.5 million square miles of U.S. exclusive economic zone, the U.S. Coast Guard defends the Nation, protects the marine transportation system, regulates and safeguards ports and waterways, leads the Nation in maritime drug interdiction and secures the maritime border. As a member of the joint force, a law enforcement organization, a regulatory agency and a member of the U.S. intelligence community, the Coast Guard employs a unique mix of authorities to ensure the safety and integrity of the maritime domain to protect the economic and national security of the nation. More than 76,000 members of the Coast Guard operate a multi-mission, interoperable fleet of more than 220 cutters, 185 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, 1,300 boats and its own dedicated cyber command to protect critical maritime infrastructure.
More information about the U.S. Coast Guard can be found at www.uscg.mil. Follow @USCG on X and Instagram, like us on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube and follow LinkedIn—connect with us.
Make a difference on land, at sea or in the air with the Coast Guard. Visit GoCoastGuard.com to find out how to be part of our team.
-USCG-