According to a recent publication by Seaspan Shipyards, the company has entered into a partnership with Newfoundland’s Genoa Design International to deliver ongoing technical design services for the Canadian Coast Guard’s latest heavy polar icebreaker. This collaboration marks a pivotal step forward in Canada’s shipbuilding initiatives.
Under this new contract, Genoa will not only provide essential design expertise but also expand its local workforce to over 100 professionals specializing in naval architecture and marine systems. Their involvement will continue throughout the construction phase of the vessel, which is currently taking place at Vancouver Shipyards.
The Polar Class 2 icebreaker measures an impressive 158 meters in length and 28 meters in width, making it Canada’s first domestically constructed heavy icebreaker in more than six decades. Designed for year-round self-sufficient operations in extreme Arctic conditions, this vessel will enable the Canadian Coast Guard to effectively navigate over 162,000 kilometers of Arctic coastline.
This state-of-the-art icebreaker plays a crucial role in reinforcing Canada’s Arctic sovereignty while facilitating high-Arctic scientific research—including studies on climate change—supporting Indigenous communities, and enhancing emergency response capabilities. With accommodations for up to 100 crew members, it is set to operate further north than any existing Canadian icebreakers under harsher conditions for extended periods.
“The signing of this contract with Vancouver Shipyards represents another significant milestone within our long-standing partnership under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy,” stated Gina Pecore, CEO of Genoa Design International. “Together we are bolstering our nation’s capacity to meet fleet requirements from construction through lifecycle support.”
Laurie Balan, COO of Genoa Design International added that this agreement not only reinforces their role within the Polar Icebreaker program but also highlights Vancouver Shipyards’ trust in their ability to deliver reliable expertise for complex shipbuilding projects.
This new vessel will be Seaspan’s seventh project completed under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) and marks its fifth Polar Class creation for the Canadian Coast Guard. Overall, Seaspan is working on up to 21 different icebreaking vessels as part of its broader commitment.
The growing emphasis on Arctic-capable ships reflects an increase in regional maritime activities as nations like Russia, China, and Finland enhance their own icebreaking fleets through innovative designs or new constructions.
