Davie Defense on Tuesday announced it has completed the acquisition of Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp.’s shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, following all required U.S. government approvals, including clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Davie — part of the Inocea Group, a privately held British marine industrial group — first announced the acquisition in June amid renewed emphasis placed by the Trump administration on Arctic capabilities and American shipbuilding capacity. The deal makes Davie Defensec the newest specialized shipbuilder operating in the United States, supported by sister yards Davie Shipbuilding in Canada and Helsinki Shipyard in Finland.
Gulf Copper will continue operating as a repair and fabrication center with its existing management team and workforce. The company recently expanded its work on Flight III Arleigh Burke–class destroyer units. Kai Skvarla, CEO of Davie Defense, will become CEO of Gulf Copper. Current CEO Steve Hale will remain in an advisory role during the transition.
The acquisition aligns with growing Arctic cooperation between the U.S. and its partners. On Oct. 9, 2025, the U.S. and Finland signed a Memorandum of Understanding on icebreaker construction, followed by a Nov. 18 Joint Statement of Intent among the U.S., Canada and Finland to advance collaboration under the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact). Davie Defense is a principal industrial partner in the initiative and is in negotiations to deliver five Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Key ASC design features include seven reference vessels already in service, more than 85 completed Arctic winters across the class, and the ability to deliver a first vessel within 26 months of contract signing.
Skvarla said, “This acquisition confirms Davie Defense as a permanent part of the United States shipbuilding industry. We are proud to be an American shipbuilder, and the new Texas facilities, which have over 350 existing employees, will be key to expanding our U.S. operations. Our focus is simple: deliver the capability, capacity, and ships that America urgently needs. While others debate new approaches, Davie Defense is executing — building polar icebreakers, looking at other opportunities to grow our workforce, and applying decades of proven expertise to support our Coast Guard and government partners.”
James Davies, Co-Founder of the Inocea Group, said, “Closing this acquisition is a defining moment in our Group’s journey. We are now truly transatlantic, operating across the United States, Canada, and Finland, and we are proud to welcome the Gulf Copper team as part of our U.S. presence. This milestone was made possible by leaders and supporters who fought to reopen the door to renewed industrial strength, new opportunities for American workers, and a revitalized national shipbuilding capability.”
Alex Vicefield, Inocea Co-Founder, said, “Integrating Gulf Copper into Inocea is a major step in our ambition to be the world’s leading specialized shipbuilder. Our transatlantic platform — spanning the United States, Canada, and Finland — is purpose-built to deliver the industrial strength and trusted capability our government and commercial partners need. Operating in Texas solidifies our long-term commitment to the United States and strengthens the Western maritime base at a time when allied shipbuilding collaboration has never been more important.”
Hale said, “Gulf Copper has been part of the fabric of shipbuilding on the Gulf Coast for more than 75 years. Joining Davie Defense opens an important new chapter — bringing long-term stability, new opportunities for our people, and continued support for the maritime communities we proudly serve.”
U.S. officials praised the expansion as a boost to national security and industrial capacity.
“America has been an Arctic nation for over 150 years, and we’re finally acting like it under President Trump. Our adversaries continue to look to grow their presence in the Arctic, equipping the Coast Guard with Arctic Security Cutters will help reassert American maritime dominance there,” said U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. “Revitalizing the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking capabilities is crucial for our security and prosperity, and today’s announcement is an important step in that direction.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, said, “This expansion of shipbuilding in Texas is a critical win for our state and U.S. maritime strength. In the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, I authored and passed a historic investment in the Coast Guard, including funding for new Arctic Security Cutter icebreakers. Davie Defense’s investment in Galveston and Port Arthur will create 7,000 high-skilled jobs for Texas workers, generate $9 billion of statewide economic impact, and ensure the Coast Guard has the world-class cutters it needs to meet growing global threats.”
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said, “Texas is central to America’s industrial base, and Davie Defense’s arrival on the Texas coast reinforces that leadership at a critical moment for our national security. As the United States continues to strengthen its shipbuilding capacity and Arctic capabilities, having a world-class shipbuilder expand its U.S. presence to Texas will help us meet emerging challenges and opportunities.”
Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, whose district includes the shipyards, said, “Davie Defense acquiring Gulf Copper’s shipyards is a game-changer for America’s national security. By bringing this work to Texas’ 14th District, we are taking a leading role in rebuilding our icebreaker fleet and strengthening America’s Arctic readiness. With billions in projected economic growth and thousands of jobs on the horizon, this is the start of a long-awaited era of American resurgence, one built here at home.”
