Seaspan Shipyards is reinforcing its commitment to innovation in industrial welding by investing $5 million in Novarc Technologies Inc., a North Vancouver-based company specializing in AI-powered robotic welding solutions. This latest financial boost will accelerate the development and commercialization of advanced automated welding technologies, aiming to enhance productivity and set new industry benchmarks for quality and efficiency.
“Since bringing in our first Novarc SWR at Victoria Shipyards, we have seen significant productivity and quality improvements in our pipe shop. The robotic welding technology has been embraced by our workforce, and they are excited to work with cutting-edge tools. Through our continuing partnership with the Novarc team, we have further developed our welding procedures and look forward to being a part of advancing innovation in this space,” said Tony Winter, Vice President & General Manager at Seaspan Victoria Shipyard.
Seaspan’s collaboration with Novarc dates back to 2017 when it provided an initial $500,000 investment during Novarc’s Seed Round. Since then, the company’s Spool Welding Robot (SWR) has been deployed at both Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards, contributing to improved weld precision and worker efficiency in complex ship maintenance and repair operations.
“This investment also allows us to expand our efforts in robotics and AI to help manufacturers facing tight budgets and pressure to deliver projects faster, exacerbated by a demand for infrastructure and a shortage of highly skilled welders. Our technology responds to these concerns with an automation solution that brings vision and cognition to articulated robots, cobots and mechanized welders, which promises to transform welding automation. Today marks a great accomplishment,” expressed Soroush Karimzadeh, CEO of Novarc Technologies.
The latest investment is part of Novarc’s $50 million Series B funding round, which also includes contributions from Export Development Canada (EDC), the private investment firm Graham Partners, and BC’s inBC strategic investment fund. With this new funding, Seaspan has now invested a total of $5.5 million in Novarc’s groundbreaking automation technology.
“Our National Shipbuilding Strategy is driving economic growth and creating new opportunities for Canada’s marine industry. Partnerships like the one between Seaspan Shipyards and Novarc Technologies are advancing innovation while enhancing productivity in Canada’s shipbuilding industry,” the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
This move aligns with Seaspan’s Value Proposition commitment under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), which supports the adoption of cutting-edge manufacturing solutions. By integrating robotic welding into the marine industry, Seaspan is fostering Canada’s industrial growth, strengthening the domestic workforce, and expanding the country’s supply chain capabilities. Novarc exemplifies the NSS in action—driving technological advancements and positioning Canada as a leader in high-tech shipbuilding and repair.