Gulf Copper LLC

MEDIA RELEASE

Davie Defense Awarded U.S. Coast Guard Contract to Build Five Arctic Security Cutters

Washington D.C. | February 10, 2026

American shipbuilder, Davie Defense, has been awarded a contract from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to build five Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), a new class of polar icebreaker critical to increasing U.S. presence in the Arctic.

As part of the program of up to 11 total ASCs, authorized by the Presidential Memorandum “Construction of Arctic Security Cutters,” two ASCs will be constructed in Finland at Davie Defense’s sister facility, Helsinki Shipyard. Building in Finland ensures the shipbuilder can meet the USCG’s accelerated schedule to deliver the first ASC in 2028. American shipbuilders will work and learn alongside Helsinki’s world-leading icebreaker builders. This will support the efficient all-American construction of three ASCs at Davie’s facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas.

“We’re deeply honored by this vote of confidence. We can’t wait to get started on delivering mission-ready cutters to our valued U.S. Coast Guard partner. By anchoring construction in Texas, while drawing on Helsinki Shipyard’s proven icebreaker expertise, we can deliver the ASCs to meet the Coast Guard’s operational needs in the world’s harshest environments.”
— Kai Skvarla, Chief Executive Officer, Davie Defense

Davie’s ASC design is based on a proven platform with seven previous variants delivered from Helsinki Shipyard. These variants are all in service today.

Davie Defense is the U.S. arm of INOCEA, a UK-owned maritime group with operations in Finland, Canada, and the U.S. In 2025, INOCEA acquired Gulf Copper & Manufacturing’s shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur.

“This contract underscores our role as a trusted Arctic shipbuilding partner to the U.S. Coast Guard. As strategic competition in the Arctic accelerates, we are fully committed to delivering world-class icebreakers capable of enabling sustained operations.”
— James Davies, Co-Founder, INOCEA Group

Alex Vicefield, Co-Founder, INOCEA Group, says, “Our focus is on disciplined execution for the U.S. Coast Guard – combining proven designs with Helsinki Shipyard’s world-leading expertise, helping re-establish world-class shipbuilding capability in Texas, where we will deliver cutters on time and on budget.”

Further details regarding program milestones will be announced in coordination with the USCG.

About the Arctic Security Cutter Program

The ASC is a new class of polar icebreakers designed to conduct U.S. Coast Guard missions in the world’s most challenging maritime environments. The ASC will provide the Coast Guard with a modern icebreaking fleet to support national security, maritime safety, and polar access.

About Davie Defense

Davie Defense is a U.S. shipbuilder and part of INOCEA, a privately held British marine industrial group with operations spanning the United States, Canada, and Finland. Together, these facilities design, build, and maintain mission-critical vessels, including icebreakers, warships, ferries, and cruise ships. Davie Shipbuilding, based in Quebec, Canada, is building the world’s largest orderbook of icebreakers, and Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard is the recognized global leader in icebreaker construction. daviedefense.com

About Gulf Copper LLC

Gulf Copper LLC, a subsidiary of Davie Defense, is a leading Marine Repair and New Construction company based in Galveston, Texas, with more than 75 years of ship repair and fabrication experience on the Gulf Coast. Gulf Copper’s primary business is the repair and refurbishment of marine vessels, ship construction, and fabrication for transportation, government, and oil and gas markets. Gulf Copper has primary shipyard locations in the Texas ports of Galveston and Port Arthur. gulfcopper.com

Media Contact

Mark.Ashwell@gulfcopper.com