Davie, the Québec-based owner of Helsinki Shipyard and builder of icebreaking vessels, announced on July 8 that it has signed an agreement to acquire Finnish steel and fabrication business Enersense Offshore Oy based in Pori.
The Davie statement noted the acquisition will provide Helsinki Shipyard with domestic steel production capabilities, and that steel fabrication is expected to support shipbuilding projects in both Finland and North America.
“The Enersense Marine and Offshore Unit possesses unique expertise in steel production for the Arctic maritime industry, making Helsinki Shipyard an integrated shipbuilder. Block production for the first vessel under our Polar Max concept will begin as soon as possible,” said Kim Salmi, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard.
Steel from the facility will be used for the Polar Max heavy icebreaker, a vessel Helsinki Shipyard is constructing under a March 2025 agreement with the Canadian government. Construction is scheduled to begin in Helsinki in August, with steel work starting earlier in Pori.
“This deal will reinforce our own competitiveness and that of Finnish shipbuilding as a whole by securing the supply of steel for many critical projects. Most importantly, we’re securing the future of a highly skilled workforce and delivering more stability for our customers and partners,” said James Davies, president and CEO of Davie.
All personnel at the Enersense unit will remain under new ownership, the statement said.
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
Last month, Davie also announced its intention to acquire shipyard assets in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, from Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp., as part of its expansion into the U.S. shipbuilding market. The deal is subject to financial, legal, and regulatory approvals, as well as lease negotiations with the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees. Closing on that acquisition is anticipated during summer 2025.
The planned U.S. acquisition follows Davie’s 2024 announced commitment to establish a long-term American presence and aligns with U.S. shipbuilding priorities under the Maritime Action Plan, the Ships for America Act, and the trilateral Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact) between the United States, Canada, and Finland.
In July 2024, the ICE Pact was announced to coordinate production of polar icebreakers and strengthen Arctic and polar capabilities across the three nations. That same month, Davie stated its intention to support U.S. shipbuilding and industrial capacity.
According to Davie, its plans are in line with U.S. government efforts to increase shipyard resilience and competitiveness and to support the construction of U.S. vessels for both domestic and international markets.
