New agreement to support six Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers with Canadian-made structural steel, strengthening the nation’s defence industrial base with domestic supply chain

Nov. 3, 2026 — North Vancouver — Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has announced the award of Algoma Steel Inc. (Algoma) and Stigterstaal Canada (Stigtertstaal) as the primary steel plate supplier for up to six multi-purpose icebreakers (MPI) for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).

The new agreement, valued at about $182 million, establishes the supply of up to 24,000 metric tonnes of Canadian-made structural steel — 4,000 metric tonnes of steel plate per vessel — to support Seaspan’s construction of the CCG’s MPI vessels under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).

This agreement is the result of strong collaboration between Seaspan, Algoma and Stigterstaal, building upon the companies’ strategic partnership established in 2025 to further strengthen Canada’s domestic steel and marine manufacturing industries. Today’s announcement reflects the companies’ shared commitment to strengthening Canada’s defence industrial base and building resilient domestic supply chains capable of supporting Canada’s long-term sovereign shipbuilding and Arctic security objectives.

As part of the largest order of polar-class steel in the mill’s history — which includes Seaspan’s flagship heavy polar icebreaker, the future CCGS Imnaryuaq — Algoma will produce structural steel for the MPI program, one of the biggest shipbuilding initiatives ever undertaken for the Canadian Coast Guard with up to 16 vessels on Seaspan’s orderbook. Leveraging Stigterstaal’s expertise in marine steel processing and distribution, and Algoma’s strong reputation for producing high-quality sustainable Canadian steel, the two companies are creating certainty and long-term value for Canada’s marine and defence industries.

Designed in Canada by Seaspan’s world-class icebreaker design team, the Canadian Coast Guard’s multi-purpose icebreakers will operate in Canada’s Lower Arctic and offshore environments. Measuring approximately 100 metres in length with a displacement of nearly 9,000 tonnes, the ships will accommodate a crew of 50 personnel and feature advanced diesel-electric propulsion with Polar Class 4 (PC4) icebreaking capability. The vessels will provide the Canadian Coast Guard with enhanced icebreaking, search and rescue, environmental response and maritime sovereignty capabilities while supporting Canada’s presence in the North. All MPIs will be built in Canada at Seaspan Shipyards in British Columbia, ensuring the future of Canadian maritime defence is built by Canadian workers with Canadian steel.

This partnership with Algoma and Stigterstaal aligns with Seaspan’s broader efforts to increase the use of Canadian-made materials in shipbuilding under the NSS and foster collaboration across the country’s industrial base. Through the NSS, Seaspan is delivering tangible industrial and regional benefits to the marine industry across Canada boasting a supply chain that includes more than 880 Canadian companies resulting in more than $3 billion in contracts.

Seaspan has built a highly skilled workforce in Canada with the skillset needed to weld steel thick enough to go through Arctic ice. Using Canadian materials, Seaspan is sharpening Canada’s strength at sea equipping the Canadian Coast Guard with the next generation of polar icebreakers to keep Canada’s coastlines protected.

Quotes

“Building Canada’s next generation of icebreakers with Canadian steel is exactly how we strengthen our economic security and sovereignty. By building stronger domestic supply chains and investing in Canadian workers and industries, today’s announcement is creating good jobs, strengthening our industrial capacity, and ensuring Canada has the sovereign capabilities in a rapidly changing world.”

— The Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry

“As Canada accelerates its shipbuilding efforts, our government is relying on the expertise and experience of proven partners in industry. This agreement between Seaspan, Algoma and Stigterstaal means that Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers will be built in a Canadian shipyard with Canadian-made steel. The scale of this commitment will create lasting opportunities for skilled workers in several sectors across the country, strengthen the domestic supply chain, and safeguard Canada’s presence and sovereignty in the Arctic.”

— The Hon. Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant

“Today is a landmark for Algoma Steel, as this contract marks the largest order for polar-class steel in Sault Ste. Marie. In recent months, Canadian steel has found more openings through Buy Canada policies, the National Shipbuilding Strategy, and the Defence Industrial Strategy. I expect more steel from the Soo to be used as we build Canada Strong. Through this work, we sustain employment in Sault Ste. Marie–Algoma and throughout the rest of Canada.”

— Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie–Algoma

“Seaspan is committed to building a strong and resilient domestic supply chain in Canada. This agreement represents another important step towards ensuring that future Canadian Coast Guard vessels are built with Canadian materials, support skilled Canadian jobs, strengthen Canada’s industrial capabilities, and deliver long-term value for Canadians. By working alongside Algoma Steel and Stigterstaal Canada, we are reinforcing Canada’s sovereign shipbuilding capability and building a stronger Canadian defence industrial base for decades to come.”

— Kate Morton, Vice President Supply Chain Management, Seaspan Shipyards

“At Stigterstaal we are extremely proud to see Canadian-made steel being used for the MPI fleet at Seaspan. This milestone is the result of a tremendous collaborative effort between Seaspan, Algoma and Stigterstaal to determine how Canadian steel can be successfully integrated into complex shipbuilding programs. For us, this is about much more than supplying steel. It is about helping build a strong and resilient Canadian maritime supply chain. With a committed Canadian steel producer like Algoma, a highly professional shipyard like Seaspan and our own marine steel and supply-chain expertise, we believe we have created a strong foundation for many more Canadian shipbuilding projects to come. We are proud to play our part in strengthening Canada’s maritime industrial base and supporting the objectives of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.”

— Ronald de Groot, Chief Executive Officer, Stigterstaal Canada

“When Canadian shipbuilders choose Canadian steel, the impact reaches well beyond the shipyard. This is the largest order of polar-class steel in our mill’s history, and a proud moment for our team in Sault Ste. Marie and for Canadian steelmaking. We’re grateful to Seaspan and Stigterstaal for their trust and partnership on ships built to serve Canada’s North.”

— Rajat Marwah, Chief Executive Officer, Algoma Steel Inc.

About Seaspan

Seaspan is a leader in Canada’s ship design, engineering, building and ship repair industry. With modern facilities and a dedicated workforce of more than 5,700 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.

About Stigterstaal

Stigterstaal is a global supplier of high-quality steel products, service the maritime and offshore industries with a strong focus on customer service and supply chain efficiency. Stigterstaal has committed to meeting 100% Canadian Content on Seaspan’s NSS programs through both direct and indirect investments to support Canada’s Industrial & Regional Benefits (IRB) policies.

About Algoma Steel Inc.

Based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Algoma is a leading Canadian producer of high-quality plate and sheet steel products, proudly supporting critical sectors including energy, defense, automotive, shipbuilding, and infrastructure. Guided by a purpose to build better lives and a greener future, Algoma is shaping the next generation of sustainable steelmaking in Canada.
With the transition to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking and a modernized plate mill, Algoma is redefining how steel is made in Canada. Powered by Ontario’s clean electricity grid, this transformation represents one of the largest industrial decarbonization initiatives in North America and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 70%. These advancements provide stability for continued investment in diversification projects aligned with Canada’s evolving needs.

This new chapter also introduces Volta™, the brand for all steel produced through Algoma’s EAF technology. Volta delivers the same trusted performance customers rely on, with significantly lower emissions — produced safely, sustainably, and proudly in Canada.

Building on more than a century of steelmaking expertise, Algoma continues to invest in its people, processes, and technologies to strengthen domestic supply chains and deliver responsible, Canadian-made steel that helps build a better tomorrow.

Media contact

[email protected]

-30-