Davie Defense has successfully acquired the shipbuilding assets of Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation located in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas. This marks an important growth step for the Canadian-backed company in the U.S. maritime industry.

Announced on December 3, the acquisition received all necessary approvals from U.S. government bodies, including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

With this acquisition, Davie Defense becomes the newest specialized shipbuilder in the U.S. Its operations will be supported by its sister companies: Davie Shipbuilding in Canada and Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, all part of the British-owned Inocea Group. This action aligns with the Trump administration's focus on enhancing Arctic capabilities and rejuvenating domestic shipbuilding.

Kai Skvarla, the CEO of Davie Defense, will take on the role of CEO at Gulf Copper. Current CEO Steve Hale will continue in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition. The existing workforce of over 350 employees at Gulf Copper will remain as the facility continues its repair and fabrication work, including projects on Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

This acquisition supports President Trump’s executive order from April, titled “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” which aims to revive U.S. shipbuilding, strengthen the workforce, and increase the country's presence in global shipping to compete more effectively with China. Currently, the U.S. operates only three polar icebreakers, with the main vessel, Polar Security Cutter, still not delivered. In comparison, Russia operates more than 40 polar icebreakers, while China is rapidly expanding its own fleet.

The acquisition also positions Davie Defense as a key industrial partner in the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact), a trilateral initiative among the U.S., Canada, and Finland that was announced in July 2024. In October, the presidents of the U.S. and Finland signed a memorandum of understanding regarding icebreaker construction at the White House, followed by a joint statement in November focusing on shipbuilding and Arctic defense cooperation between the three countries.

Davie Defense is currently negotiating to supply five Arctic Security Cutters to the U.S. Coast Guard. These vessels are based on a fourth-generation polar icebreaker design from Helsinki Shipyard, which has delivered about 50% of the world's icebreaker fleet and all polar icebreakers built in Finland over the last 25 years. The company claims it can deliver the first vessel within 26 months after the contract is signed.

Skvarla stated, “This acquisition confirms Davie Defense as a permanent part of the United States shipbuilding industry. We proudly identify as an American shipbuilder, and the new Texas facilities, which employ over 350 people, are crucial for expanding our operations in the U.S. Our goal is clear: to provide the capability, capacity, and ships that America urgently needs.”

James Davies, co-founder of Inocea Group, called the closing of the deal “a defining moment” for the company. He expressed pride in becoming truly transatlantic, operating in the United States, Canada, and Finland, and welcomed the Gulf Copper team as part of their U.S. operations.

In October, President Trump announced a significant deal to acquire four Finnish icebreakers and build seven additional vessels in the United States, three of which will be constructed by Davie Defense in Galveston.

This deal includes a planned $1 billion renovation of the Gulf Copper facility, which Davie calls the “American Icebreaker Factory.” This facility will be dedicated to building Arctic Security Cutters and is expected to create over 2,000 direct jobs at Gulf Copper, contributing to more than 7,000 statewide and a projected economic impact over $9 billion.

Davie Defense faces competition from a group led by Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards, which has partnered with Finland's Rauma Shipyards, Canada’s Seaspan Shipyards, and Aker Arctic Technology.

Outgoing Gulf Copper CEO Steve Hale applauded the transition, stating, “Gulf Copper has been a significant part of Gulf Coast shipbuilding for over 75 years. Joining Davie Defense opens an important new chapter for us — providing long-term stability, new opportunities for our employees, and continued support for the maritime communities we serve.”

The Coast Guard aims to build a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers, supporting President Trump's initiative to acquire at least 40 new icebreakers.