The U.S. Department of the Navy awarded VT Halter Marine, ST Engineering's shipbuilding business in Mississippi, a $746 million contract for the detail design and construction of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) polar security cutter, the Singapore-based company said in a statement.

The first ship is due for delivery in 2024, said ST Engineering. It said the contract is worth $1.94 billion, including options for two more vessels with estimated delivery dates of 2025 and 2027.

The United States has two operational icebreakers - the Polar Star, which is more than 42 years old, and the Healy.

ST Engineering shares were up 1.6 percent in morning trade at S$3.82, while the broader market was up 0.2 percent.

(Reporting by Aradhana Aravindan; Editing by Christopher Cushing)