The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has awarded Davie Defense a contract to construct five Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), a new class of polar icebreaker intended to strengthen US operational capacity in the Arctic region.
The contract forms part of a wider programme for up to 11 ASCs, authorised by the Presidential Memorandum “Construction of Arctic Security Cutters.”
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Under this initiative, two vessels will be built at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, which is Davie Defense’s sister facility. Meanwhile, three ships will be assembled at Davie Defense’s facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas.
Construction in Finland is expected to allow the shipbuilder to meet the Coast Guard’s target to deliver the first ASC in 2028.
American shipbuilding teams will work alongside specialists at Helsinki Shipyard, which has established experience in icebreaker construction.
This collaboration is designed to transfer expertise and support efficient production of the subsequent vessels in Texas.
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By GlobalDataDavie Defense CEO Kai Skvarla said: “We’re deeply honoured by this vote of confidence. We can’t wait to get started on delivering mission-ready cutters to our valued US 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.”
The ASC is a new type of polar icebreaker intended for USCG operations in demanding maritime conditions. The vessel is expected to supply the Coast Guard with an updated icebreaking fleet for national security, maritime safety, and polar region access.
The design for the new ASCs is based on an established platform, with seven previous variants built at Helsinki Shipyard and currently in service.
The company indicated that further information regarding specific programme timelines will be shared jointly with the USGC.
Davie Defense operates as the American subsidiary of INOCEA, a UK-based maritime group with operations spanning Finland, Canada, and the US.
INOCEA acquired Gulf Copper & Manufacturing’s shipbuilding assets located in Galveston and Port Arthur in 2025.
INOCEA Group co-founder James Davies said: “This contract underscores our role as a trusted Arctic shipbuilding partner to the US Coast Guard. As strategic competition in the Arctic accelerates, we are fully committed to delivering world-class icebreakers capable of enabling sustained operations.”
