Davie Defense broke ground on the modernization of the Gulf Copper shipbuilding facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur on June 1. This historic milestone and investment in America’s maritime industrial base also mark the return of complex shipbuilding to Texas for the first time in decades.
The groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from the ownership and leadership of Davie Defense and Gulf Copper, and U.S. government officials, including Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14), Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday.
The first phase of the shipyard upgrade, which overall could reach $1 billion, is scheduled for completion in 2028. This coincides with the beginning of construction of the first of three of five Arctic Security Cutters (ASC) for the U.S. Coast Guard. The first two vessels will be built at Davie Defense affiliate Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, with delivery of the first ship in 2028.
The Gulf Copper project is expected to create approximately 2,400 new American jobs, with broader statewide economic impact estimated to support up to 7,000 jobs through supply chain and related economic activity, according to a 2025 independent economic study by Austin based analyst, Impact Data Source.
Davie Defense was also honored to host Battleship Texas for a special salute during the groundbreaking event. An enduring symbol of American sea power, the ship served 34 years in the U.S. Navy, including five WWII campaigns, after being commissioned in 1914. Now under renovation at Gulf Copper, Battleship Texas will continue to receive in-kind support from the shipyard as the Battleship Texas Foundation transforms her into a modern, world-class museum.
“America cannot restore maritime strength without rebuilding its industrial capability,” said Philip Burns-O’Brien, President and CEO of Davie Defense and Gulf Copper. “Gulf Copper is more than a facility investment, it is part of the broader vision to revive U.S. shipbuilding capacity as strategic competition increases.”
In mid-May, Davie Defense announced that it had formally signed a contract with the U.S. Coast Guard to build five new polar-class icebreakers, with a total value of $3.5 billion. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2028, and all five are scheduled for delivery by February 2035.
The vessels will be built at Davie Defense’s Helsinki Shipyard in Finland and Gulf Copper shipyards in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, with two and three vessels to be constructed at each location, respectively.
This investment further solidifies Texas’s growing role in the U.S. shipbuilding industry, coming at a time when Washington is seeking to rebuild industrial capacity and narrow the widening shipbuilding gap with China—an issue increasingly emphasized by policymakers.
Data indicates that Davie Defense is a U.S. shipbuilding company affiliated with the British maritime group INOCEA, with operations spanning the United States, Canada, and Finland. Its shipyards possess capabilities in the design, construction, and operation of specialized vessels, including icebreakers, naval vessels, and luxury cruise ships.