On 11 February 2026, Davie Defense said it was awarded a United States Coast Guard (USCG) contract to build five Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), a new class of polar icebreaker intended to increase U.S. presence in the Arctic.
The award forms part of a programme of up to 11 ASCs authorised under the Presidential Memorandum “Construction of Arctic Security Cutters.” The company said two vessels will be constructed in Finland at Helsinki Shipyard to meet an accelerated schedule targeting delivery of the first ASC in 2028. It added that American shipbuilders will work alongside Helsinki’s icebreaker workforce, which the company said will support construction of three further ASCs at its facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas.
The company said the ASC design is based on a platform with seven previous variants delivered from Helsinki Shipyard, and that these variants are all in service today. It also said it will disclose further programme milestone details in coordination with the USCG.
Davie Defense said it is the U.S. arm of INOCEA, a UK-owned maritime group with operations in Finland, Canada and the U.S. The company added that in 2025 INOCEA acquired Gulf Copper & Manufacturing’s shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur.
