Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan ULC) and Genoa Design (Genoa Design International Ltd.) have entered into an exclusive agreement to design and build the Canadian Coast Guard’s future Polar Icebreaker.
Seaspan was selected in 2011 as Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) strategic partner to build its large non-combat vessels, including the Polar Icebreaker.
A new Polar Icebreaker is urgently required to replace the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, which is the only ship in the Canadian fleet capable of year-round operations in the Arctic.
It is now in its sixth decade of service and rapidly approaching end of life.
Under the terms of the teaming agreement, if Seaspan Shipyards is re-confirmed as the builder of the Polar Icebreaker by the Government of Canada, Genoa will provide 3D modeling and design services for the program, creating sustained long-term ocean technology jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador’s emerging innovation economy.
“A world-class marine supply chain in Canada is critical to our ability to build world-class ships for Canada. One cannot happen without the other. Genoa is a classic example of the industrial and economic impact possible when innovation, investment and opportunity come together. As Canada’s national shipbuilding partner, Seaspan has put together the best team in Canada – coast-to-coast – to deliver the Polar Icebreaker on the Coast Guard’s critical timeline,” said Mark Lamarre, Chief Executive Officer, Seaspan Shipyards.
With $185 million in capital infrastructure investments, Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyard was purpose-built for the construction of the Polar Icebreaker and is the only shipyard in Canada with the workforce, facilities and capacity in place today to deliver the complex vessel by the Coast Guard’s critical 2029 deadline.
Seaspan will draw on Genoa’s expertise in leveraging advanced technology to develop digital ship models.
Since being selected as Canada’s strategic NSS partner, Seaspan Shipyards said it has helped rebuild Canada’s marine industrial sector and become an economic engine for the industry across Canada.
Seaspan has also become a revenue lifeline for small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the country, delivering $1.5 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product and awarding more than $1 billion in NSS-related contracts.
At a time when the need to leverage federal procurement dollars to support Canadian companies and employees has never been greater, construction of the Polar Icebreaker by Seaspan’s team will support thousands of Canadian jobs across the country over the multi-year life of the program, the company said.
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