Davie plans to acquire Texas shipyard assets to expand U.S. icebreaker production.
GALVESTON, Texas — A major shipbuilding expansion could be coming to Texas as Davie, an international leader in icebreaker and specialized ship construction, announced plans to acquire shipyard assets in Galveston and Port Arthur from Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation.
The proposed deal, still pending financial, legal, and regulatory approvals, is expected to close by summer 2025. Land lease negotiations with the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees are also underway.
If finalized, the acquisition would mark a major milestone in Davie’s commitment to establishing a permanent American presence.
The move aligns with national priorities like the U.S. Maritime Action Plan and the Ships for America Act, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) program, which aims to bolster America’s Arctic-ready icebreaker fleet.
A bold shipbuilding vision for Texas
“We share a vision with Gulf Copper to make Texas a world-class hub for American icebreaker and complex ship production,” James Davies, president and CEO of Davie, said. “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.”
Gulf Copper CEO Steve Hale added: “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 its U.S. expansion. That means opportunity for our employees, our partners, and our communities.”
Once complete, Davie plans to invest $1 billion in upgrades and capacity expansion at the Texas facilities. The project is expected to create approximately 4,000 American jobs, including 2,000 direct jobs at Gulf Copper and 2,000 additional positions across the supply chain.
Supporting U.S. national security and shipbuilding goals
With operations already in Québec, Canada, and Helsinki, Finland, Davie is part of the Inocea Group. The company says adding a U.S. shipyard would uniquely position it within the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact), a trilateral partnership focused on delivering advanced icebreakers quickly and cost-effectively.
Davie officials note the urgency behind the project, with the U.S. currently operating only three Arctic-ready icebreakers, compared to Russia’s fleet of nearly 50. Davie says its production-ready designs would help close this capability gap faster and more efficiently for taxpayers.
The acquisition has drawn strong support from stakeholders in Texas and Washington, D.C., with Davie working closely with local and state leaders to finalize the deal.