Davie Shipyard to Expand Operations South of the Border to Build Icebreakers

Models of the Polar icebreakers are seen at the Davie Shipbuilding booth at the CANSEC trade show, billed as North America’s largest multi-service defence event, in Ottawa, on May 31, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Quebec-based Davie shipbuilding plans to set up operations south of the border to help the United States build icebreakers.

A White House announcement on July 29 says the shipbuilder is in talks to partner with an existing American shipyard.

The news follows a pact announced earlier this month under which Canada, the U.S. and Finland will collaborate to build polar icebreakers.

Davie landed a Canadian government contract worth $8.5 billion earlier this year to build seven icebreakers and two hybrid-powered ferries.

The company also recently purchased Finland’s Helsinki shipyard, which has built half the world’s icebreaker fleet.

The Quebec government contributed $110 million to that acquisition, on top of a $520-million injection to help Davie modernize its shipyard in Lévis, Que.