(GALVESTON, Texas and WASHINGTON) — Davie Defense on Tuesday announced the closing of the acquisition of Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp.’s shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas. The completion of the transaction includes all required U.S. government approvals, including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
As part of the Inocea Group, the acquisition makes Davie Defense America’s newest specialized shipbuilder – backed by Davie Shipbuilding in Canada and Helsinki Shipyard in Finland – at a time when the Trump administration is prioritizing the Arctic. The acquisition reinforces Inocea’s presence in the U.S. as Davie Defense advances its capabilities and prepares to compete for major programs, supporting the administration’s broader focus on revitalizing American shipbuilding.
Gulf Copper will continue to operate as a leading repair and fabrication center, backed by its experienced management team and workforce, who will remain in place. Its work, including the recently expanded scope on the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer units, underscores its capability to execute complex, high-precision defense projects in Texas. Kai Skvarla, CEO of Davie Defense, will assume the role of CEO of Gulf Copper, with current CEO Steve Hale staying on in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition.
The Gulf Copper acquisition comes as the U.S deepens cooperation with its Arctic and shipbuilding partners. On Oct. 9, the presidents of the U.S. and Finland signed a historic memorandum of understanding on icebreaker construction. This was followed on Nov. 18 by a joint statement of intent between the U.S., Canada and Finland to advance shipbuilding and Arctic defense collaboration under the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact), a trilateral initiative first announced in July 2024.
As a principal industrial partner in the ICE Pact, Davie Defense looks forward to the upcoming contracting process and to working with the U.S. Coast Guard to determine how best to advance the Arctic security cutter (ASC) project in America. Davie Defense is in negotiations to deliver five ASCs. The ASC is based on a proven fourth-generation polar icebreaker design from Helsinki Shipyard, the world’s premier icebreaker builder having delivered approximately 50 percent of the world fleet and 100 percent of the polar icebreakers built in Finland over the past 25 years. Key ASC features include seven reference vessels already in service, a track record of over 85 Arctic winters completed, and the ability to deliver the first vessel within just 26 months of contract signing.
“This acquisition confirms Davie Defense as a permanent part of the United States shipbuilding industry,” said Skvarla said. “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.”
“Gulf Copper has been part of the fabric of shipbuilding on the Gulf Coast for more than 75 years,” Hale said. “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.”
– Davie
