Seaspan Shipyards has been selected to build a polar icebreaker for the Canadian Coast Guard.
The ship will be built at Seaspan Shipyards in North Vancouver and will bring significant job and economic benefits to B.C., according to the province.
“We’ve been all hands on deck to make sure this vessel is built in B.C., benefiting B.C. workers,” said Premier John Horgan. “Bringing the design and construction of Canada’s next polar icebreaker to B.C. shipyards recognizes that Seaspan has the know how and capabilities to build it on the coast guard’s critical timeline.”
The project is expected to support up to 1,400 professional and skilled trades jobs at Seaspan and hundreds more at the B.C. based businesses that are part of the marine industry supply chain.
“We are extremely happy the federal government has heard our calls to award this contract to Seaspan, giving job certainty to thousands of B.C. workers and hundreds of suppliers throughout the province,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation. “Our government recognizes the importance of the industrial marine sector to B.C.’s economy. That’s why we are committed to supporting B.C. shipyards to build capacity and become even more competitive.”
The province said the project will also benefit the Squamish, Tsleil Waututh, Haisla, Songhees, Esquimalt, Snuneymuxw and Old Masset First Nations, which have developed strong partnerships with Seaspan and work together on training and opportunities for Indigenous communities.
“[This] announcement is the direct result of hard work by thousands of skilled, talented B.C. residents who have built a world-class shipbuilding and marine industry on Canada’s West Coast,” said Mark Lamarre, CEO of Seaspan Shipyards.
