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 ...
Thank you for the ping!
I appreciate it!
I thought that I had heard of that company before.
Gulf Copper has done some nice projects on the Gulf.
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