Davie Defense, a shipbuilder with two centuries of experience, plans to build a new shipyard in the United States’ Gulf Coast for its new “Arctic Security Cutters” design intended for the U.S. Coast Guard if awarded an icebreaker contract. Naval News has reached out the Davie Defense for more information.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) intends to expand its very small icebreaker fleet, currently consisting of just three active icebreakers, the heavy Antarctic icebreaker Polar Star, and the medium Arctic icebreakers, Healy and Storis. Polar Star and Healy have been in service for decades, and Storis was recently acquired in November 2024 from a corporate company (was previously named M/V Aiviq) and converted by the USCG to join the Arctic icebreaker fleet in August 2025 as WAGB 21. Davie Defense is already involved in building new Canadian icebreakers: 3 medium icebreakers, 6 Program Icebreakers, and one large Polar Icebreaker.
Davie Defense, along with partnerships with Pearlson & Pearlson in Florida and Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard, intends to construct its “American Icebreaker Factory” in Gulf Copper shipyards located in Galveston, Texas; and if all goes to plan, the first Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) icebreakers will be ready to sail after 26 months of construction. Pearlson & Pearlson has collaborations with BAE Systems, Austal USA and Fincantieri Marinette as project leader.
“Using our unique knowledge and expertise, the American Icebreaker Factory will deliver Finnish levels of icebreaker production efficiency right here in the U.S., helping address vital national security needs and strengthening American shipbuilding.”
Davie Defense Press Release
The Davie Defense Press Release on the “American Icebreaker Factory” can be found here.
Davie Defense Comments to Naval News
Naval News reached out to Davie Defense for comment, and a spokesperson replied with the following:
- Davie Defense intends to build icebreakers and other complex commercial and military vessels at the `American Icebreaker Factory.’
- We are currently working with the Florida-based engineering firm Pearlson & Pearlson on specific upgrades and an equipment list for the facility.
- Davie’s plan is to take American workers and train them alongside our experts in the Helsinki Shipyard, which has built the majority of the icebreakers on the water today. This novel workforce development program will help them build the skills needed to construct complex ships like icebreakers – and return to our U.S. facilities and build ships more efficiently and effectively.
- We are particularly interested in Texas due to its strong business climate and deep, experienced labor pool, which is on average younger than other parts of the country.
The Arctic Security Cutter
The Arctic Security Cutter is not an exclusive Davie Defense design, but a proven design with seven vessels already currently in service around the world (although none in the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet as of 2025). Davie Defense is offering this fourth-generation icebreaker design in partnership with its Finnish subsidiary, Helsinki Shipyard, and if awarded a contract, intends to deliver the first ASC within 26 months, which is much faster than the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) which is scheduled to be delivered in May 2030, six years since award of PSC contract and behind delivery schedule.
