North Vancouver, B.C., Aug. 12, 2025 — A milestone moment unfolded at Seaspan Shipyards’ Vancouver facility this week as the company celebrated 15 years of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), a federal initiative that has transformed Canada’s marine industry. The occasion brought together the Hon. Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, and the Hon. Ernie Klassen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Member of Parliament for South Surrey–White Rock, who joined Seaspan in recognizing a decade-and-a-half of homegrown shipbuilding achievement.
“As we celebrate 15 years of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, it is important to not only look back on our successes, but to look ahead to where we are going. The state of shipbuilding in Canada right now is very encouraging. In the last year, Seaspan has launched two ships, started sea trials for the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel and started construction on the CCG’s most powerful icebreaker, and made key partnerships with Canadian companies like Algoma Steel – a true sign of the rebirth of this industry. Seaspan’s capability is a national strategic asset. We’re ready to design and build the ships Canada needs, in Canada. Thank you to our government partners, our Canadian shipbuilding supply chain and, most importantly, our world-class designers, engineers and tradespeople for proving over the last 15 years that build-in-Canada solutions are the right choice for the economy, for industry, and for Canadians,” explained John McCarthy, CEO, Seaspan Shipyards.
Launched to rejuvenate the fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), the NSS has done more than replace aging ships—it has rebuilt a national shipbuilding ecosystem. Over the past 15 years, Seaspan has become a cornerstone of this effort, supporting a network of more than 800 Canadian companies nationwide and issuing more than $3 billion in contracts. The shipyard itself has grown into Canada’s largest marine and design engineering hub, sustaining over 11,000 jobs each year and contributing more than $5.7 billion to the economy since 2012. Beyond economics, Seaspan’s work helps Canada meet its NATO defence spending commitments, strengthening both national and allied security.
“Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Canada is delivering a modern fleet for the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard, while revitalizing the marine industry and creating thousands of skilled jobs. The ships built at Seaspan and other Canadian shipyards reflect a long-term investment in innovation, sovereignty and industrial growth under Canada’s commitment to safeguard our oceans. By strengthening domestic supply chains and prioritizing Canadian-made steel and materials, the strategy is taking another meaningful step forward and will play an even more central role in creating a resilient and prosperous economy,” said the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement.
Seaspan’s shipbuilding portfolio under the NSS is both ambitious and strategically vital. The shipyard has delivered three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV) to the CCG, marking the completion of the first class of large vessels under the program. Each vessel now actively serves Canada’s maritime interests. On the horizon are two Joint Support Ships for the RCN: HMCS Preserver and the recently-launched HMCS Protecteur, which promise to enhance operational capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces and allied navies.
The Canadian Coast Guard’s new Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV), CCGS Naalak Nappaluuk, is currently undergoing sea trials. Once in service, it will be the most advanced science research vessel in the fleet, underscoring the NSS’s focus on innovation and operational excellence. Meanwhile, construction has begun on the CCG’s new heavy polar icebreaker—set to become the fleet’s largest and among the most powerful icebreakers globally. Design and engineering work on the Multi-Purpose Icebreakers continues to advance, opening potential export opportunities for Canadian ship design and engineering capabilities to allied nations.
Seaspan’s impact extends beyond new builds. Its additional facilities, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards, remain critical under the NSS’s repair and maintenance pillar. These yards provide ongoing maintenance, repair, and life-extension services for RCN frigates based on the West Coast, as well as vessels like CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, ensuring Canada’s existing fleet remains mission-ready.
The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) said it succinctly, “the National Shipbuilding Strategy is more than steel and ships. By continuing to invest in homegrown talent and suppliers, we are building a robust industrial base, skilled workforce and competitive economy, while ensuring the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard are equipped to meet a range of operational demands at home and abroad.”
As Seaspan reflects on 15 years of collaboration with the Government of Canada, the message is clear: the National Shipbuilding Strategy is more than a procurement program—it is a Canadian success story, revitalizing an industry, sustaining thousands of jobs, and delivering vessels that protect and serve the nation’s interests at home and abroad.
