The new agreement, which is valued at approximately $182 million, will see the supply of up to 24,000 tonnes of Canadian-made structural steel to support Seaspan's construction of the (CCG)

North Vancouver — Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has announced Algoma Steel Inc. (Algoma) and Stigterstaal Canada (Stigterstaal) as the main suppliers of steel plates for up to six multipurpose icebreakers (MPIs) for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). Valued at approximately $182 million, the new agreement establishes the supply of up to 24,000 tonnes of Canadian-made structural steel, at a rate of 4,000 tonnes per vessel, to support Seaspan’s construction of the Canadian Coast Guard's (CCG) MPI vessels under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS)

 Collaboration between Seaspan, Algoma, and Stigterstaal.

This agreement is the result of close collaboration between Seaspan, Algoma, and Stigterstaal. It builds upon the companies’ strategic partnership, which was established in 2025 with the aim of strengthening Canada’s domestic steel and marine manufacturing industries. Today's announcement is a reflection of the companies' shared commitment to strengthening Canada's defence industrial base and building resilient domestic supply chains. These supply chains will be capable of supporting Canada's long-term objectives in the areas of sovereign shipbuilding and Arctic security.

The largest order of polar-class steel in the mill’s history 

Algoma will be producing structural steel for the MPI programme, one of the biggest shipbuilding initiatives ever undertaken by the Canadian Coast Guard, as part of the largest order of polar-class steel in the mill's history. This includes Seaspan's flagship heavy polar icebreaker, the future CCGS Innaryuaq. Seaspan has ordered up to 16 vessels. Leveraging Stigterstaal's expertise in marine steel processing and distribution and Algoma's strong reputation for producing high-quality, sustainable Canadian steel, the two companies are creating certainty and long-term value for Canada's marine and defence industries.

Class icebreaker design team

The Canadian Coast Guard's new multi-purpose icebreakers will be used in Canada's Lower Arctic and offshore environments. They were designed in Canada by Seaspan's world-class icebreaker design team. Measuring approximately 100 metres in length and with a displacement of almost 9,000 tonnes, the ships can accommodate a crew of 50 and feature advanced diesel-electric propulsion and Polar Class 4 (PC4) icebreaking capabilities. The vessels will provide the Canadian Coast Guard with enhanced icebreaking, search and rescue, environmental response and maritime sovereignty capabilities while supporting Canada's presence in the North. All MPIs will be built in Canada at Seaspan Shipyards in British Columbia, ensuring that the future of Canadian maritime defence is in the hands of Canadian workers using Canadian steel.

Increase the use of Canadian-made materials in shipbuilding

This partnership with Algoma and Stigterstaal aligns with Seaspan’s broader efforts to increase the use of Canadian-made materials in shipbuilding under the NSS and foster collaboration across the country’s industrial base. Through the NSS, Seaspan is delivering tangible industrial and regional benefits to the marine industry across Canada, boasting a supply chain that includes more than 880 Canadian companies, resulting in more than $3 billion in contracts.

A highly skilled workforce in Canada, built by Seaspan, 

Seaspan has built a highly skilled workforce in Canada with the skill set needed to weld steel thick enough to go through Arctic ice. Using Canadian materials, Seaspan is sharpening Canada’s strength at sea, equipping the Canadian Coast Guard with the next generation of polar icebreakers to keep Canada’s coastlines protected.

Source: Press Release

#Seaspan Shipyards #Canadian Coast Guard CCG # Stigterstaal #Algoma# icebreakers #National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) #MPI vessels