Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaker Henry Larsen in Gaspe Bay, Quebec. The new polar icebreakers will be more advanced and have greater capabilities than the current CCG fleet. Credit: Shutterstock

Mar 18, 2025

By Mathew Channer

The Canadian Government has announced plans to build two new heavy polar icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), with contracts awarded to Vancouver-based company Seaspan and Quebec company Davie.

The contracts were awarded under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). The Seaspan contract is valued at CAD $3.2 billion, and the Davie contract at CAD $3.3 billion, with both contracts expected to generate thousands of jobs for Canadians.

The new heavy polar icebreakers, which are part of the CCG’s fleet renewal plan will have greater, more advanced capabilities than current CCG icebreaker vessels and will be capable of operating at higher latitudes for longer periods.

The vessels will strengthen Canada’s icebreaking fleet, support critical scientific research and environmental protection efforts in the Arctic, and improve security of Canadian territory in Arctic waters.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and North Vancouver MP, the Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, says the contracts are a significant milestone in enhancing Canada’s maritime capabilities.

“We are proud to take this step forward in strengthening our maritime infrastructure for safeguarding Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic,” he said.

The announcement marks the first time a polar icebreaker has been constructed in Canada in more than 60 years.

Seaspan Shipyards CEO John McCarthy says the company is looking forward to starting construction next month.

“The NSS is demonstrating that a made-in-Canada approach is not only possible, but also imperative to our security and sovereignty,” he said.

Davie, which is a Quebec based international shipbuilder, will leverage Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, which has built more than 50 per cent of the world’s icebreakers and which the company acquired in 2023, as part of its construction plan. The completed icebreaker is scheduled to be delivered from Lévis, Quebec, in 2030.

Davie President and CEO James Davies praised Canada for partnering with Davie on this project.

“In a volatile world, we can and must forge shipbuilding collaborations with trusted allies like Finland to secure shared interests,” he said.

Both companies will begin construction this year.

The Canadian Coast Guard currently has 18 icebreakers of varying sizes and capabilities, making it the second-largest icebreaking fleet in the world.

Seaspan is a leader in Canada’s ship design, engineering, building and repair industry. With modern facilities and a dedicated workforce of approximately 4,300 people in North Vancouver and Victoria, the company has proven itself to be a trusted and strategic partner on a range of complex projects for both government and the private sector.

Based in Québec, Canada since 1825, Davie is a world-class designer and builder of specialist, mission-critical ships such as icebreakers, ferries and warships for government and commercial customers.