Davie Defense announced the closing of the acquisition of Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation’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 Government 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.

A Principal ICE Pact Partner

The Gulf Copper acquisition comes as the U.S deepens cooperation with its Arctic and shipbuilding partners. On October 9, 2025, the presidents of the U.S. and Finland signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on icebreaker construction at the White House. This was followed on November 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.

READ: Davie Will Soon Establish a U.S. Shipbuilding Presence, Solidifying its Role in the ICE Pact

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% of the world fleet and 100% 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. QUOTES

Kai Skvarla, incoming CEO Gulf Copper, said: “This acquisition confirms Davie Defense as a permanent part of the United States shipbuilding industry. 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.”

James Davies, Co-Founder, Inocea Group, said: “Closing this acquisition is a defining moment in our Group’s journey. We are now truly transatlantic, operating across the United States, Canada and Finland, and we are proud to welcome the Gulf Copper team as part of our U.S. presence. This milestone was made possible by leaders and supporters who fought to reopen the door to renewed industrial strength, new opportunities for American workers, and a revitalized national shipbuilding capability.”

Alex Vicefield, Co-Founder, Inocea Group, said: “Integrating Gulf Copper into Inocea is a major step in our ambition to be the world’s leading specialized shipbuilder. Our transatlantic platform — spanning the United States, Canada and Finland — is purpose-built to deliver the industrial strength and trusted capability our government and commercial partners need. Operating in Texas solidifies our long-term commitment to the United States and strengthens the Western maritime base at a time when allied shipbuilding collaboration has never been more important.”

Steve Hale, outgoing CEO, Gulf Copper, said: “Gulf Copper has been part of the fabric of shipbuilding on the Gulf Coast for more than 75 years. 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.”

“America has been an Arctic nation for over 150 years, and we’re finally acting like it under President Trump. Our adversaries continue to look to grow their presence in the Arctic, equipping the Coast Guard with Arctic Security Cutters will help reassert American maritime dominance there,” said U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. “Revitalizing the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking capabilities is crucial for our security and prosperity, and today’s announcement is an important step in that direction.”

“This expansion of shipbuilding in Texas is a critical win for our state and U.S. maritime strength,” said Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. “In the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, I authored and passed a historic investment in the Coast Guard, including funding for new Arctic Security Cutter icebreakers. Davie Defense’s investment in Galveston and Port Arthur will create 7,000 high-skilled jobs for Texas workers, generate $9 billion of statewide economic impact, and ensure the Coast Guard has the world-class cutters it needs to meet growing global threats.”

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas): “Texas is central to America’s industrial base, and Davie Defense’s arrival on the Texas coast reinforces that leadership at a critical moment for our national security. As the United States continues to strengthen its shipbuilding capacity and Arctic capabilities, having a world-class shipbuilder expand its U.S. presence to Texas will help us meet emerging challenges and opportunities.”

Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14), said: “Davie Defense acquiring Gulf Copper’s shipyards is a game-changer for America’s national security. By bringing this work to Texas’ 14th District, we are taking a leading role in rebuilding our icebreaker fleet and strengthening America’s Arctic readiness. With billions in projected economic growth and thousands of jobs on the horizon, this is the start of a long-awaited era of American resurgence, one built here at home.”

Canada signs joint statement of intent with Finland and U.S. to advance ICE Pact
Davie Will Soon Establish a U.S. Shipbuilding Presence, Solidifying its Role in the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact)
Davie intends to create U.S. shipbuilding presence in alignment with ICE Pact

ADDITIONAL INFO

  • The Arctic and the North are home to 150,000 Canadians and generations of Indigenous communities. With new icebreakers and agreements like the ICE Pact and Our North, Strong and Free, Canada is investing in defence and security to protect our country, our continent and the rules-based international order.
  • The Icebreaker Collaboration Effort Pact is a trilateral agreement between Canada, Finland and the US to strengthen the 3 countries’ abilities to design, build and market best-in-class Arctic and polar vessels, which are needed to ensure these regions remain peaceful, cooperative and prosperous.
  • Recognizing the enduring importance of these regions to our collective economic, climate and national security, the partnership aims to deepen existing cooperation, expand our shipbuilding industries, allow new equipment and capabilities to be developed quickly, and engage other allies and partners to help meet future global demand for Arctic and polar vessels.
  • ICE Pact officials have met regularly to advance the objectives of the trilateral agreement. This includes in-person meetings in March and June 2025, which took place in Helsinki and Ottawa, respectively.
  • In spring 2025, Canada published a request for information (RFI) on the implementation of the ICE Pact. The RFI identified important information about the Canadian shipbuilding industry’s technical expertise, infrastructure and workforce capacity to build Arctic and polar vessels. Respondents emphasized readiness and a strong interest in industrial and technical collaboration across the partner countries.
  • In October 2025, the US selected a multi-purpose icebreaker design developed by Seaspan and Aker Arctic for 6 of its new Arctic security cutters. Chantier Davie, working through its shipyards in Finland and the US, will contribute to the fleet renewal by building 5 icebreakers.
  • Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), Canada is building 2 new polar icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. The new icebreakers will play an integral role in strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and represent an important investment in our Arctic and polar defence and security.
  • As of September 2025, Canada has signed approximately $54 billion in NSS contracts across the country. It is estimated that NSS contracts awarded between 2012 and 2024 have contributed close to $38.7 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product and created or maintained more than 21,400 jobs annually over the 2012 to 2025 period.