Canadian shipbuilding company Davie’s U.S. subsidiary, Davie Defense, recently announced that it will invest $1 billion (approximately 7.113 billion RMB) to build the “American Icebreaker Factory” in Texas.
This is one of the largest capacity expansion projects in the U.S. shipbuilding industry in decades. Davie Defense will renovate the historic Gulf Copper shipyard in Galveston, Texas, transforming it into a modern shipyard dedicated to building Arctic Security Cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new shipyard is expected to take place this fall.
The “American Icebreaker Factory” concept was jointly developed by Davie Defense and Pearlson of Florida. Pearlson has led major projects for some leading U.S. shipyards, including BAE Systems, Austal USA, and Fincantieri Marinette.
This project aligns with the strategic priorities of the U.S. Trump administration, including the “Restoring American Maritime Dominance” executive order and the recently reintroduced “SHIPS for America Act.”
Davie Defense CEO Kai Skvarla stated: “Updating the national icebreaker fleet and closing the shipbuilding gap with China are now national strategic priorities. Our capabilities and experience perfectly match these needs, enabling us to deliver the ships required for the U.S. to protect its national interests in the polar regions.”
This new shipyard will leverage the expertise of Davie Defense’s affiliated company, Helsinki Shipyard in Finland. As a leading icebreaker builder, Helsinki Shipyard has constructed multiple complex polar icebreakers over the past 25 years. Davie acquired Helsinki Shipyard in 2023, which is currently building the “Polar Max” for the Canadian Coast Guard. This is one of the world’s most advanced and powerful icebreakers, expected to be delivered before 2030.
Skvarla pointed out: “The U.S. needs not more promises, but new ships in the water as soon as possible. We will rely on a proven fourth-generation Arctic Security Cutter design, build a dedicated shipyard in Texas, and work closely with the Finnish team. We will hire and train Texas workers, procure products from U.S. suppliers, and ensure the delivery of mission-capable ships on time and on budget.”
Research by the independent agency Impact Data Source shows that once the contract is secured, Davie Defense is expected to create over 2,000 direct jobs at the Gulf Copper shipyard, drive more than 7,000 jobs statewide in Texas, with an overall economic impact estimated to exceed $9 billion.
Davie believes that localized construction capability is key to winning the Arctic Security Cutter contract. Currently, the company is competing with a new consortium led by Louisiana’s Bollinger Shipyards, which includes Finland’s Rauma Shipyard, Canada’s Seaspan Shipyards, and Aker Arctic Technology, with the same goal of building the next generation of icebreakers.
In April of this year, the U.S. Coast Guard disclosed plans to order up to three medium Arctic Security Cutters, requiring the winning shipyard to achieve launch within three years of contract signing. The U.S. Coast Guard’s long-term plan includes building 8-9 polar icebreakers, with an ultimate goal of a 40-icebreaker fleet.
Davie Defense claims that it can deliver the first Arctic Security Cutter within 26 months, based on its seven in-service fourth-generation designs of the same type, fully meeting the mission requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Skvarla stated: “Our goal is to invest in building efficient capacity in the U.S. to quickly deliver the required ships. We have built the same type of hull seven times already and can rapidly replicate it, transferring Finnish icebreaker technology to Texas. This will help the U.S. accelerate the formation of new maritime capabilities through mature solutions, more flexible designs, and a stable business model.”
