Posted on 06/13/2025 6:27:01 AM PDT by texas booster
Canadian shipbuilder Davie announced today its plans to acquire shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas from Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation, marking a significant expansion into the U.S. shipbuilding sector.
The acquisition, expected to close in summer 2025, remains subject to various conditions, including negotiations with the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees. For Davie, the move represents a strategic step in addressing America’s critical icebreaker shortage. The U.S. currently operates only three Arctic-ready vessels, while Russia maintains a fleet of nearly 50. Both Russia and China have increased their presence in the region.
“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.”
The expansion aligns with the recently established ICE Pact, a trilateral agreement between the United States, Canada, and Finland announced in July 2024. This collaboration aims to enhance polar icebreaker production while strengthening economic, climate, and national security interests in contested polar regions.
Davie brings significant expertise to the U.S. market through its extensive shipbuilding experience. The company’s Helsinki Shipyard in Finland has contributed to more than half of the global icebreaker fleet, while its Canadian operations have produced over 720 specialized vessels since 1825.
Gulf Copper CEO Steve Hale welcomed the acquisition, noting it would mark the return of complex shipbuilding to Galveston and Port Arthur “for the first time in decades”.
(Excerpt) Read more at gcaptain.com ...
The acquisition is strategically positioned to support key U.S. initiatives, including the President Trump’s establishment of a Maritime Action Plan, the recently reintroduced Ships for America Act, and the ongoing U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutter program. The Coast Guard’s broader strategic vision includes building a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers, supporting the President Trump’s stated initiative to acquire at least 40 new icebreakers.
In April, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from both domestic and international shipyards on the feasibility of building up to three medium-sized icebreakers, with construction starting within a year and launch within three years by utilizing a commercial vessel construction model.
Why do we need icebreakers when algore and the retarded swedish doom goblin say there will be no more arctic ice by the year 2000?
Welp, all you retired FReepers that can weld, now have a potential job on the Texas coast building icebreakers.
A ping out to the Texas Ping list, founded by Windflier.
Another special Texas summer edition for your perusal.
As always, please FReepmail me if you want on or off the Texas Ping list.
Blessings, and stay cool!
That caught my eye as well.
Recommend sale for Davie stock. How stupid to invest in icebreakers! 😆
Uh, by the time they build any, all the ice will be gone. 😂👍
Who is Welp?
Is that such a good idea?
It could be some diabolical plot by Greta to break the blockade of the Gaza death cultists by using Icebreakers to sneak them by the Israelis who might think they are just on the way to assist in clearing the Mediterranean ice flows.
“The acquisition, expected to close in summer 2025, remains subject to various conditions, including negotiations with the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees.”
Wait until they start having to negotiate with the labor unions...they’ll probably walk away at that point.
By the way, the Soviets built nuclear powered ice breakers, and Russia is about halfway through building another 7 nuclear ice breakers. Canada’s talked about doing the same, but they’ll likely spend the money on their immigrants instead. As far as the US is concerned, between the Trump-Hating labor unions and the Democrats, its hard to see we can build any more ice breakers, much less nuclear-powered ones.
Who is Welp?....
And in law of well
Let’s hope the Coasties are a whole lot better at buying ships than the USN.
I thought the Canadians hated us?
The Soviets were correct in using nuclear powered propulsion for ice breakers. Doing so means the ships can be larger, heavier, faster, and much more powerful.
LOL! I am remembering that one! LOL
President Trump should step in and STOP this!
Canada has thumbed its nose at us. President Trump should tell them to go pound sand!
This outfit is yet another leech. They want to get rich with our money!
I think that the parent company is from Finland, who makes some of the best icebreakers around.
Can’t take credit. I think it was a Breitbart columnist or Kurt Schictler who was referenced a couple of days ago on one of the FR threads.
Gulf Copper in Galveston is the company that is restoring USS Texas.
Has Texas checked with Mexico to see if it meets Claudia Sheinbaum’s approval? /s
Nothing spells out the need for an icebreaker like a Texas Summer.
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