MONTREAL — In a move that underscores Canada’s growing expertise in high-tech maritime construction, Le Groupe ALMACO has secured a $105-million contract with Chantier Davie Canada Inc. to outfit the Canadian Coast Guard’s Polar Max Icebreaker. The announcement, made August 21, 2025, marks another milestone in Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) and highlights the expanding role of Québec’s advanced marine sector.

“Working with Davie again is a proud moment for us,” said Vilhelm Roberts, Executive Chairman of the Board and Co-owner of ALMACO Group. “We’ve maintained a close relationship with their team ever since the Asterix Project, and this new contract confirms our shared ambition to deliver world-class vessels while growing local expertise and capacity. We’re not just outfitting a ship—we’re helping to build the future of Canadian shipbuilding together.”

The Polar Max is no ordinary icebreaker. It is a flagship vessel, designed to extend the reach and capabilities of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), and a testament to international collaboration. The hull is being built at Davie-owned Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, while Le Groupe ALMACO delivers the ship’s interior accommodation and essential onboard spaces. Meanwhile, in Lévis, Québec, Davie’s shipbuilders and ALMACO engineers are leading the design, procurement, and construction of the 1,400-ton superstructure, the vessel’s crowning component.

“Polar Max is a once-in-a-generation project that demands the very best from every partner involved, said Davie co-owner and CEO, James Davies. “Our work with ALMACO on Asterix proved that when we combine their world-class expertise with Canadian ingenuity, we deliver faster, better and with greater impact. This is a lasting partnership which will not only help deliver Polar Max on time and to the highest standard – it will also create jobs and develop skills and industrial capability here in Canada.”

By dividing the build across continents, the team accelerates timelines, streamlines logistics, and ensures the Polar Max will be ready for delivery to the Government of Canada by 2030. Once the hull arrives in Canada, integration with the superstructure will take place at Davie’s Lévis facility—a method successfully proven during the delivery of the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Asterix to the Royal Canadian Navy.

Québec at the Heart of Innovation

Le Groupe ALMACO, a Canadian subsidiary of the international ALMACO Group, is not only outfitting the Polar Max but is also expanding its Canadian presence. Operations in Québec began in 2022, and a new office in Québec City is slated to open in September 2025. The project promises to create jobs, attract local talent, and position Québec as a global hub for shipbuilding excellence.

“This is great news that ALMACO has chosen Québec to expand its activities and partner with Davie on the Polar Max Icebreaker project. The National Shipbuilding Strategy continues to generate exciting opportunities for Canada’s shipbuilding industry, creating high-value jobs and strengthening our economy while advancing shipbuilding expertise in Québec and across the country,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions.

A groundbreaking “cabin factory” will be established locally, enabling ALMACO to produce prefabricated modular cabins on-site for the Polar Max. This first-of-its-kind facility in Canada will streamline logistics, improve quality assurance, and reinforce the long-term vision of developing local marine capabilities.

“The Polar Max project is an excellent example of how Canadian industry and international partners can collaborate to deliver world-class capabilities while creating good-paying jobs here at home. With ALMACO expanding its footprint in Québec, we can expect more skilled jobs, greater shipbuilding expertise, and a stronger, more resilient Canadian marine sector. As a key project under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Polar Max icebreaker will contribute to a more modern, capable Canadian Coast Guard fleet and secure long-term economic growth and shipbuilding capacity for our country,” said the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Canada.

ALMACO’s recruitment strategy will combine European expertise with Canadian know-how, employing local engineers, project managers, and manufacturing specialists. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to sharing economic benefits across Québec and Canada’s shipbuilding ecosystem.

Building on a Trusted Partnership

The Polar Max contract also renews a long-standing collaboration between Davie and ALMACO, who previously delivered the CSS Asterix in 2017. The project exemplifies trust, technical excellence, and shared vision for advancing Canadian shipbuilding, ensuring that domestic capabilities continue to grow alongside global standards.

“Davie’s leadership in the Polar Max project is a powerful driver of economic growth for Québec,” said Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy. “The collaboration between Davie and the ALMACO Group will generate business opportunities in both jurisdictions’ naval sectors. It will also consolidate Québec’s position as a shipbuilding hub, while recognizing the strategic importance placed on the Arctic in the 21st century.”

As the Polar Max moves from plans on paper to a cutting-edge icebreaker navigating Canada’s northern waters, the collaboration between Davie and ALMACO represents more than a construction project—it is a strategic investment in Canada’s maritime future, local industry, and skilled workforce.