Canada Bolsters Arctic Capabilities Ordering Two Heavy Polar Icebreakers, Teams up with Finnish Yard
Illustration of the Polar Max icebreaker. (Source: Davie Shipbuilding)
Sending a clear signal for Canada’s leadership role in the Arctic, the country announced contracts for two new heavy polar icebreakers. The vessels draw on the collaborative effort behind the recently-announced ICE Pact between Canada, Finland and the U.S. Both ships are expected to enter into service by 2030.
Canada’s government announced the signing of contracts for two new polar icebreakers. The effort is part of the country’s National Shipbuilding Strategy to renew the existing fleet.
Both vessels are expected to enter into service around 2030, along a similar time frame of the much-delayed American equivalent, the Polar Security Cutter.
The first contract was signed with Seaspan Shipyard where the vessel will be constructed at the company’s Vancouver yards. It will become the first heavy icebreaker built inside Canada in more than 60 years.
The most powerful
The C$3.15 billion contract (around 2 billion Euro) is for a 158 meter-long Polar Class 2 icebreaker. With a displacement of 26,000 tons the vessel will be slightly larger than its U.S. Coast Guard counterpart currently under construction at Bollinger Shipyards in Mississippi.
With more than 40 MW of power it will be among the most powerful non-nuclear icebreakers. The vessel was developed by Seaspan together with Finnish companies who have extensive experience in icebreaker design work.
This state-of-the-art vessel will not only strengthen our icebreaking fleet
The vessel is based on Aker Arctic’s original ARC 148 hull form.
Russia and China
The Canadian initiative comes at a time when both Russia and China have launched a number of new icebreakers. Russia currently operates eight nuclear heavy icebreakers, more than at any time in its history, with more on the way.
China launched a number of medium-sized research icebreakers, with three operating in the Arctic simultaneously for the first time last summer.
“This state-of-the-art vessel will not only strengthen our icebreaking fleet, but will also support critical scientific research and environmental protection efforts, and ensure national security in the Arctic,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, at the contract signing with Seaspan.
“The contract awarded to Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards for the build of a new polar icebreaker underscores our dedication to ensuring safe and efficient navigation in Arctic regions,” he continued.
Jonathan Wilkinson, P.C., M.P. Current Member of The House of Commons - North Vancouver, Canada. (Credit: House of Commons 2021)
Second heavy icebreaker
A contract for a second heavy polar icebreaker went to Canadian firm Davie Shipbuilding for a C$3.25 billion vessel. The Polar Max-called icebreaker will be constructed with the help of Helsinki Shipyard, acquired by Davie two years ago.
The Helsinki yard is a well-known powerhouse having constructed more than 50 percent of all icebreakers.
With a length of 138.5 meters and 22,800 tons its dimensions will be in line with the Polar Security Cutter. The PolarMax will also carry a Polar Class 2 designation, the second-highest category.
Such vessels can break ice up to 3 meters or more and operate in all polar waters year-round including in moderate multi-year ice conditions. Initial construction work will be carried out in Helsinki with final buildout by Davie in Canada.
Both vessels will begin construction in 2025, with Seaspan set to start as early as April.
These Canadian icebreaker projects came on the heels of the recently-launched ICE Pact between the U.S., Canada, and Finland. The trilateral agreement looks to boost the construction of polar icebreakers through knowledge sharing and joint construction.
While Canada and Finland appear to have taken a first step towards implementing these goals in the latest contracts, it is not yet clear how or when the U.S. will draw on this partnership.
