Davie, a Canadian-based builder of icebreaking vessels, on Wednesday announced its intention to acquire shipyard assets in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, from Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp., marking its expansion into the U.S. shipbuilding market.
The deal, which remains subject to financial, legal, and regulatory approvals, as well as land lease negotiations with the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees, is expected to close this summer, Davie said in a statement.
The planned acquisition follows a 2024 commitment from Davie — Canada’s largest shipbuilder — to establish a permanent presence in the U.S. and aligns with several national initiatives, including the U.S. Maritime Action Plan and the Ships for America Act, as well as the ICE Pact, a collaboration between the U.S., Canada, and Finland to enhance the production of polar icebreakers.
The acquisition is also positioned to support the U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic security cutter program, which aims to close the country’s strategic icebreaking gap — an urgent priority as Russia currently operates nearly 50 Arctic-capable icebreakers compared with the U.S.’s three, while the Coast Guard’s program to build three new polar security cutters is significantly over budget and behind schedule.
Davie is one of few shipbuilders capable of rapidly delivering Arctic-ready ships. Its expansion into the U.S. grows its international footprint, which includes existing operations in Québec, Canada, and Helsinki, Finland, where around half of the world’s icebreaking fleet has been built. The company touts production-ready icebreaker designs that it says meet American mission requirements and allow for faster and more cost-effective construction than traditional military procurement cycles.
Davie said it is working with local and state stakeholders "to ensure the rapid closure of the transaction", and it noted that the acquisition has received strong support in Washington, D.C.
If completed, the acquisition would come with a $1 billion investment to modernize and expand the Gulf Copper sites, Davie said. The company estimates the initiative could create around 4,000 jobs, including 2,000 directly within the yards and another 2,000 across the broader supply chain.
“We share a vision with Gulf Copper to make Texas a world-class hub for American icebreaker and complex ship production,” said James Davies, president and CEO of Davie. “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.”
“A successful deal will open a new chapter for Gulf Copper,” said Steve Hale, CEO of Gulf Copper, a longtime player in marine services and ship repair. “For the first time in decades, complex shipbuilding could return to Galveston and Port Arthur — this time backed by one of the world's fastest-growing specialized shipbuilders. Davie brings a bold vision: to make Texas the cornerstone of their U.S. expansion. That means opportunity for our employees, our partners, and our communities.”
