Halter DCNS team for ship contract U.S. and French shipbuilders have partnered to win a U.S. Department of Homeland Security contract to design and build an offshore patrol cutter. PASCAGOULA, Miss., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. and French shipbuilders have worked together to win a U.S. Department of Homeland Security contract to design and build an offshore patrol cutter. The cutter would be for the U.S. Coast Guard. Under the teaming agreement, Mississippi's VT Halter Marine would be prime contractor for the project, while DCNS of France would be the exclusive subcontractor. "VT Halter Marine is very pleased with the partnership agreement we have with DCNS," said Bill Skinner, chief executive officer of VT Halter Marine, a subsidiary of VT Systems. We are positive that the innovative OPC design proposed by VT Halter Marine and DCNS will be the most suitable and cost-effective solution for the U.S. Coast Guard. Added Pierre Legros, DCNS' senior vice president of Surface Ships and Naval Systems, "This agreement reflects DCNS' commitment to a long-term partnership with VT Halter Marine in order to provide the U.S. Coast Guard with a capable and cost effective solution." The U.S. Coast Guard expects to acquire as many as 25 offshore patrol cutters to replace its aging fleet of medium-endurance cutters. It issued its Request for Proposal late last month.