Canada Awards Polar Icebreaker Contract to Davie Shipbuilding Amid Arctic Strategic Push
Davie Shipbuilding, the Quebec-based shipbuilder, has secured a CAD $3.25 billion contract from the Government of Canada to construct a new polar icebreaker, with delivery expected by 2030.
The project, which will begin construction in 2025, marks a significant development in Canada’s Arctic maritime capabilities, following another heavy polar shipbuilding contract to Seaspan Shipyards.
The Davie vessel, dubbed the Polar Max, will leverage expertise from Helsinki Shipyard, which Davie acquired in 2023. Helsinki Shipyard brings considerable experience to the project, having constructed over half of the world’s icebreakers.
The Polar Max will be 22,800 tonnes with a length of 138.5 meters. It will be the first newbuild project at the Helsinki Shipyard under Davie’s ownership, and carried out in collaboration between Finnish and Canadian maritime industry experts. The work will begin in Helsinki and be completed at Davie’s shipyard in Canada.
“When we acquired Helsinki Shipyard, we pledged to rebuild this historic business. The Polar Max project is evidence that we are delivering on our promise,” said James Davies, President & CEO, Davie Shipbuilding. “The Canadian government deserves immense credit for partnering with Davie on this groundbreaking procurement.”
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, emphasized the strategic importance of the project: “This state-of-the-art vessel will not only strengthen our icebreaking fleet but will also support critical scientific research and environmental protection efforts, and ensure national security in the Arctic.”
The project represents a milestone in the ICE Pact, a trilateral partnership established in 2024 between the United States, Canada, and Finland to develop Arctic and polar icebreakers. The collaboration comes at a crucial time, as Arctic regions become increasingly accessible due to climate change.
This announcement is part of a broader Canadian shipbuilding initiative. Notably, Seaspan Shipyards in North Vancouver on Friday announced
