The United States government is launching its strategy to defend the Arctic and the Quebec manufacturer is among its main collaborators. The Lévis manufacturer confirms that it wants to commit “in a significant and long-term manner” to renewing the American fleet.
The details of the partnership have not yet been released, but it “would include a major investment in a U.S. shipyard,” the U.S. government said. In other words, Davie will set up shop in the United States either by purchasing an American shipyard or by partnering with a local builder.
The partnership is part of the ICE Pact, a three-way collaboration that includes Finland for “the production of high-demand polar icebreakers,” Davie said in a statement released Monday. The construction of these vessels will support “economic, climate and national security, while supporting shared vital interests in contested polar regions.”
Auspicious
Washington’s confidence in the Quebec manufacturer bodes well for the future, Marcel Poulin, director of external affairs for Davie, emphasized in an interview. “The three partners will work together to convince all the other NATO partners and Western countries to buy their icebreakers from one of the three countries that specialize in this area. Davie is ideally positioned.”
Ottawa is already banking on the Quebec builder for its own naval strategy. Earlier this year, Canada ordered at least seven heavy icebreakers and two large ferries with hybrid propulsion for a total of $8.5 billion.
It is worth noting that Davie acquired the world’s largest icebreaker builder in Helsinki, Finland, a few months ago. This acquisition is a “game changer,” confirms Marcel Poulin. “The Helsinki shipyard has the expertise. They have built more than 50% of the world’s existing icebreaker fleet.”
This is a turnaround for Davie, which has been through years of gloom. This new strategic position is based, among other things, on investments from the Quebec government. Quebec has injected nearly $520 million to modernize this shipyard founded in 1825. The restoration should be spread out until 2026.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s future icebreakers will come at a time when the Arctic is an increasingly contested region among world powers. China unveiled the fourth icebreaker in its fleet earlier this summer, while Russian and Chinese bombers were intercepted near Alaska just a week ago.
The Davie shipyard has already contributed in the past to the construction of aircraft carriers and destroyers for the US Navy.
This story is supported by the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.