Construction approved for two more polar icebreakers for Canadian Coast Guard

By Baird Maritime - May 11, 2021.

MARITIME SECURITY WEEK

*The Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent (left) ties up to the US Coast Guard cutter Healy in the Arctic Ocean, September 5, 2009. (Photo: US Coast Guard)*

The Canadian government has given its approval for construction to commence on two new polar icebreakers for the country’s coast guard.

Both new icebreakers will have greater capacity compared to Canada’s current largest icebreaker, CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent. One of the icebreakers will be built by Seaspan Shipyards of Vancouver while the other will be built by Davie Shipbuilding of Quebec.

The first new icebreaker is scheduled to be delivered by 2030 just as Louis S. St-Laurent is retired from service.

The new ships will boast greater endurance that will enable them to conduct year-round operations in Canada’s Arctic.

Missions will also include Arctic scientific research support and maritime emergency response.

See all the other news, reviews and features of this month’s Maritime Security Week right here.