- Davie Defense plans a $1 billion overhaul of the Gulf Copper shipyard in Galveston to create the “American Icebreaker Factory” for U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters.
- The project will leverage Finnish icebreaker expertise, create thousands of jobs in Texas, and position Davie Defense against rival Bollinger Shipyards in the race to supply polar vessels.
- With U.S. icebreaking capacity lagging behind Russia and China, the initiative aims to deliver proven Arctic Security Cutters in record time.
Davie Defense Inc., the newest entrant to the U.S. shipbuilding sector, has announced plans for a $1 billion redevelopment of the Gulf Copper shipyard in Galveston, Texas, transforming it into the “American Icebreaker Factory.” The purpose-built facility will focus on constructing Arctic Security Cutters (ASC) for the U.S. Coast Guard, marking the largest single expansion of American shipbuilding capacity in decades.
Strategic investment in U.S. shipbuilding
The initiative is being developed in partnership with Florida-based Pearlson, a specialist in shipyard design and program management, and aligns with the Biden administration’s Restoring American Maritime Dominance order and the reintroduced SHIPS for America Act. Kai Skvarla, CEO of Davie Defense, emphasized the urgency of closing the U.S. shipbuilding gap with rivals:
“Recapitalization of the nation’s icebreaker fleet and closing the shipbuilding gap with China are now clear national priorities. Our skills and capability are perfectly matched to deliver the ships America needs to protect our vital interests in the polar regions.”
Finnish expertise meets American capacity
The new facility will draw on expertise from Davie’s sister company, Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, which has built advanced polar icebreakers for over 25 years. Its proven fourth-generation ASC design is already in service on seven vessels and will be transferred to Texas for rapid production.Davie Defense claims it can deliver the first ASC within 26 months, significantly faster than the Coast Guard’s current Polar Security Cutter program, which is delayed until at least 2030.
Jobs and economic impact
According to an independent study, the project is expected to support more than 2,000 direct jobs at Gulf Copper and over 7,000 statewide, with an estimated $9 billion total economic impact. A formal ceremony in Texas later this year will mark the start of construction.The investment builds on Davie’s broader expansion strategy, including its acquisition of shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur from Gulf Copper & Manufacturing.
Race against Bollinger Shipyards
Davie is competing with a new consortium led by Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards, which has partnered with Rauma Shipyards of Finland, Seaspan Shipyards of Canada, and Aker Arctic Technology. Both companies are vying for contracts under the Coast Guard’s request for up to three ASCs, with long-term plans for eight to nine vessels.
Currently, the U.S. operates only three polar icebreakers, compared to Russia’s fleet of more than 40 and China’s expanding program. The shortfall has heightened concerns over America’s ability to secure strategic Arctic routes.
A new era for U.S. icebreaker production
James Davies, President and CEO of Davie, positioned the project as transformative:
“Texas is ready to lead a new Golden Age of American shipbuilding—backed by our commitment to delivering ships on time, on budget, and in service of national security priorities.” The investment also supports the ICE Pact, a trilateral agreement signed in 2024 between the U.S., Canada, and Finland to expand icebreaker production an d strengthen security in contested polar regions.
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Source: gCaptain
