The OOSV will be the primary offshore oceanographic science platform for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. A multi-task vessel, the OOSV will be capable of oceanographic, fishery, geological and hydrographic survey missions. OOSV can perform Search and Rescue and contribute to our understanding of the impact of climate change on our oceans.

The offshore oceanographic science vessel (OOSV) will:

  • be capable of supporting scientific research missions, including oceanographic, geological and hydrographic surveys
  • contribute directly to our understanding of oceans, seabeds and the impacts of climate change
  • support other Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) operations, such as search and rescue and environmental response, as needed
  • replace the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Hudson as the CCG’s primary East Coast ocean science research vessel

OOSV Project at a glance

Shipyard

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. (Vancouver, British Columbia)Project status

Under constructionNumber of vessels to be built

1Project budget

$1.28 billion (taxes excluded)Estimated delivery

2025

OOSV Current status

  • The ship’s consolidation was commemorated on November 15, 2023
    • this marked the final stage of building the ship’s individual blocks. The blocks were then joined together to form the ship’s complete structure
  • The keel-laying ceremony for the OOSV was held November 25, 2022
  • On February 18, 2021, the Government of Canada announced the award of a $453.8 million (taxes included) contract to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards for the construction of one OOSV for the CCG
  • In early 2019, the Government of Canada made a decision to re-sequence construction of the joint support ship (JSS) and the OOSV at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards in order to build on the momentum underway with the construction of the JSS early block
    • Under the revised sequencing, Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards will first complete construction on JSS 1, followed by the construction of the OOSV and then JSS 2
  • In November 2015, Canada awarded the initial construction engineering contract to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards to commence the work required prior to the start of construction

The year ahead

Construction of the OOSV will continue. The OOSV is expected to be launched in mid-2024 and delivered to the CCG in 2025.