TEXAS — Texas is emerging as a major hub for marine defense manufacturing, with two significant investments signaling growing interest in the state’s shipbuilding industry.
Canadian shipbuilder Chantier Davie Canada Inc. has acquired the shipbuilding assets of Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation in Galveston and Port Arthur. The deal, finalized in December, establishes Davie Defense as a permanent player in the U.S. shipbuilding sector.
The company plans to invest $730 million to expand icebreaker production in Texas, a move expected to create more than 2,400 jobs. The project will receive a $21.7 million grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund. Governor Greg Abbott called it a historic investment that strengthens American manufacturing and national security.
Meanwhile, Austin-based Saronic Technologies Inc. is considering Brownsville for a massive $3.25 billion facility to build autonomous drone boats for the U.S. Navy. The proposed 400-acre “Project Hercules” development could create up to 10,000 jobs over multiple phases through 2034.
Saronic recently secured a $392 million Navy contract to build its 24-foot autonomous “Corsair” vessels. Cameron County officials say they are working to position Brownsville competitively as the company weighs other potential locations.
Together, the projects highlight Texas’ expanding role in advanced maritime defense manufacturing.