Shipbuilding
National Shipbuilding Strategy
Seaspan Shipyards is proud to be Canada’s long-term, strategic shipbuilding partner for building the large non-combat vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).
Through the NSS, the Government of Canada has embarked on one of the largest procurement projects since the Second World War. The NSS is a nation-building effort to create a sustainable Canadian shipbuilding industry, secure long-term job opportunities and build the next generation of ships for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy. Through its NSS–related work, Seaspan Shipyards is leading the redevelopment of our domestic shipbuilding industry on the West Coast and delivering on the promise of ships built in Canada, by Canadians.
Joint Support Ships
The Joint Support Ships currently being constructed for the Royal Canadian Navy will be purpose-built, multi-role vessels that will provide an important auxiliary function to the Royal Canadian Navy. One of the most important aspects of these vessels is their ability to replenish naval task groups with marine fuel and other provisions while at sea. This allows the Royal Canadian Navy to operate away from port for longer periods of time. In addition to replenishment at sea, the vessels will support training and naval manoeuvres and humanitarian operations, ensuring Canada’s continued safety and security at home and abroad.
Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel
With its extensive sensor suite and permanent and portable labs, the Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV) will serve with the Canadian Coast Guard and will be the primary oceanographic science platform for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The OOSV is outfitted for marine surveys and scientific research on ocean currents and the seabed. Equipped with the latest scientific research apparatus, the OOSV will be able to meet its crucial mission to increase our overall understanding of the impact that climate change has on the oceans.
Multi-Purpose Vessels
The multi-purpose vessels will enable the Canadian Coast Guard to carry out multiple missions, including:
- Icebreaking in moderate ice conditions and assisting in shipping and spring time flood control in the St. Lawrence waterway and Great Lakes region
- Search and rescue, emergency response, and security and protection missions
- Maintaining Canada’s marine navigation system composed of approximately 17,000 aids to navigation
Polar Icebreaker
As part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Seaspan Shipyards will design and build a Polar Icebreaker, the flagship of the Canadian Coast Guard’s icebreaking fleet. Canada’s Polar Icebreaker will be 150 metres long and 28 metres wide, and able to accommodate up to 100 personnel. It will be able to operate farther north, in more difficult ice conditions and for longer periods than any icebreaker Canada has.
Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels
Seaspan Shipyards has built three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard. These vessels will be the primary offshore fisheries science platforms for Fisheries and Oceans Canada and will be equipped to carry out science research missions. These research missions will serve an important role in monitoring the health of fish stocks, understanding the impacts of climate change, and supporting research that allows us to better understand our oceans.
