Davie is proud to announce the launch of construction of the Polar Max, Canada’s next–generation polar icebreaker, at its shipyard in Lévis. This milestone marks a historic moment for Canadian shipbuilding and a major step forward in delivering Canada’s next polar icebreaker under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).

Once delivered in 2030, the Polar Max will be one of the most powerful and capable conventional heavy icebreakers in the world. The ship will enable the Canadian Coast Guard to maintain a sustained, year–round presence in the Arctic, supporting sovereignty operations, scientific research, environmental protection, and essential resupply missions to northern communities in some of the harshest maritime conditions on the planet.

As demands on Canada’s Arctic safety and security continue to grow, driven by increased commercial shipping, the impacts of climate change, and the rapid transformation of the Arctic region, the next step has been taken in advancing the construction of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new polar icebreaker to enable a strong, modern, and year‑round presence in the North.

Construction of CCG Polar Icebreaker advances with production start ceremonY

The Honourable Joel Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, joined by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Economic Development for Quebec Regions were in Lévis, Québec to celebrate the start of Canadian production at Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (CDCI) for the Polar Max Icebreaker, one of two new Polar Icebreakers being constructed for the Canadian Coast Guard. This milestone marks the beginning of full‑rate construction at CDCI’s Canadian shipyard and represents a significant advancement in the renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard Arctic-capable fleet under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

The construction of two new polar icebreakers is estimated to contribute approximately $420M annually to Canada’s gross domestic product and support over 3,000 jobs in the Canadian economy. National Shipbuilding Strategy contracts are estimated to have contributed approximately $38.7 billion ($2.8 billion annually) to Canada’s gross domestic product, and created or maintained close to 21,400 jobs annually between 2012 and 2024. Examples include partnerships such as CDCI’s sourcing of Canadian-made steel for the Polar Max icebreaker at Algoma Steel’s facilities in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Canadian Coast Guard’s new Polar Icebreakers will bolster Canada’s presence in a rapidly changing Arctic by supporting vital operations, including icebreaking, search and rescue, environmental response, Arctic science, and resupply of essential goods for Northern communities. Once completed, both Polar Icebreakers—one being built at Vancouver Shipyards and the other at Chantier Davie—will work together to enhance a continuous, year‑round Canadian presence in the Arctic.

READ MORE: Davie Shipbuilding – Canada’s Great Comeback Story

The new Polar Icebreakers will be among the most capable icebreakers in the world and are an example of the Government of Canada enhancing Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security. The Government of Canada has achieved the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) 2% of gross domestic product defence spending target in the 2025–26 fiscal year, marking a significant milestone in Canada’s approach to national defence and collective security. Canada is investing more than $63 billion in defence across the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, and other government partners. This represents a significant increase in defence spending over the past year, driven by targeted investments in military personnel, readiness, equipment, and infrastructure, as well as in the defence industrial base and in eligible defence expenditures across government, consistent with NATO reporting practices.

Davie has committed to investing more than $200 million in Canadian small- and medium–sized businesses, strengthening domestic industrial capabilities while boosting the shipbuilding sector’s export potential. This investment strategy, announced in 2025, aligns closely with Canada’s 2026 Defence Industrial Strategy, which emphasizes growing national industrial capacity and enhancing international competitiveness.

From the East Coast to the West Coast, dozens of Canadian companies within Davie’s extensive national supplier network have already begun contributing to the Polar Max program, even before construction officially started in Lévis. These include Algoma Steel (Ontario), which produced the Canadian-made steel now being used to assemble the vessel’s superstructure; Hawboldt Industries (Nova Scotia), which will supply advanced marine equipment; Échafauds Plus (Québec), supporting Davie by ensuring safe access to the superstructure and protecting it from the elements; and Gregg’s Marine Interiors (British Columbia), supporting Groupe ALMACO Inc. (Québec) in the assembly of the mock-up cabins presented at today’s event. Together with numerous Canadian-based specialized technical support firms, distributors, and logistics providers, these companies are collectively creating and sustaining jobs across the country.

Awarded to Davie in March 2025 under a fixed-price contract, the Polar Max is progressing at a pace not seen in Canadian shipbuilding for generations, thanks to close collaboration between Davie, Helsinki Shipyard, and the Canadian Coast Guard. The dual-build approach will allow Canada to receive this much-needed vessel on a significantly compressed schedule, while maximizing the volume of work performed in Canada and keeping Davie’s broader NSS order book fully on track. This model enables construction to advance simultaneously in Canada and Finland, accelerating delivery timelines by several years while expanding Canada’s shipbuilding workforce and ensuring early, sustained participation from Canadian industry.

READ: NSS Update – National Shipbuilding Strategy

The collaboration is driving a powerful two-way knowledge-sharing exchange between Finnish and Canadian workers. More than fifty employees are already rotating between the two countries, fuelling the expertise that will power future NSS programs and advancing the ICE Pact‘s vision of deeper cooperation, stronger capability development, and greater industrial resilience among allied shipbuilding nations.

“Today is an exciting milestone for the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Polar Icebreaker under construction at Chantier Davie. In a region shaped by rapid climate and geopolitical change, these vessels will play a vital role in Canada’s Arctic future. Flying the Canadian flag year‑round in Arctic waters, they will strengthen our sovereignty, support maritime safety and security, and provide the essential services northern communities and Arctic science rely on for decades to come. This milestone also reflects the goals of the Defence Industrial Strategy, which is investing in Canada’s ability to build, deliver and sustain the vessels Canadians rely on.”

The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

“Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we are making targeted investments that are sustaining jobs and growing a skilled workforce here in the Québec city region, as well as across Davie Shipyard’s extensive supply chain. By building these vessels here at home, we are strengthening Canada’s industrial base while giving the Canadian Coast Guard the modern ships it needs to break ice, respond to emergencies, conduct Arctic science, and support Northern communities. At a time when Arctic security and sovereignty matter more than ever, this work is delivering real benefits for Canadian workers while positioning Canadian companies as global leaders in advanced polar vessel design and construction.”

The Honourable Joel Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant

“Today’s milestone at Chantier Davie is a reminder of what Canada does best: building world-class ships and creating meaningful, long-term careers for Canadians. As work advances on the Polar Icebreaker, we’re strengthening Canada’s leadership in Arctic capability, supporting our defence priorities and driving economic growth at home. This project is creating high-quality jobs for Canadians and more opportunities for our marine industry in Quebec and across the country, and it’s building a stronger, more competitive shipbuilding industry.”

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Economic Development for Quebec Regions

“It’s a pivotal moment for the Canadian Coast Guard as we modernize our fleet and strengthen our partnership with National Defence to protect Canada’s Arctic and uphold our sovereignty. Today’s milestone marks real progress on building the Polar Max Icebreaker—an essential asset that will support icebreaking operations, ship escorts, and safe navigation in Canada’s North.”

Kevin Brosseau, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard

“Starting construction of Polar Max in Lévis marks an important new phase in a project that is already moving at an exceptional pace. Polar Max shows what can be achieved when trusted allies work together to deliver strategically vital projects when they are needed most. We are proud that work is now moving forward in Canada, where this program will strengthen long-term shipbuilding capacity while helping deliver this ship on time and on budget.”

James Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Davie

“The Polar Max is more than a ship; it is a catalyst for rebuilding strategic shipbuilding capacity in Canada and across the Western world. With work now advancing in Lévis, this program is demonstrating how industrial collaboration between trusted allies can accelerate delivery, strengthen sovereign capability, and create lasting economic and strategic value.”

Alex Vicefield, Chairman and CEO of Inocea

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Construction of the Polar Max hull began in August 2025 at Davie’s Nordic Yard Finland in Helsinki. With production now underway in Canada, the Polar Max project continues to progress, supporting skilled jobs and strengthening domestic shipbuilding supply chains.

• In 2024, Canada, Finland and the United States formed the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact). This strategic partnership deepens the co-operation among these key Arctic allies by strengthening the marine industries in each country and allowing new equipment and capabilities to be produced more quickly through enhanced technical collaboration and information exchange. Canada’s partnership with Finland the ICE Pact leverages Finnish expertise to strengthen shipbuilding capacity in Canada.

• Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Government of Canada is renewing the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet with modern, Arctic‑capable vessels – including two Polar Icebreakers, six Program Icebreakers, two Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, and up to sixteen Multi‑Purpose Icebreakers – to provide our personnel with the ships they need to protect mariners, safeguard Canada’s maritime borders, and support Arctic sovereignty well into the future.

• The Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) received Royal Assent on March 26, and gives the Canadian Coast Guard new authorities to further support security. This will help contribute to the protection and sovereignty of Canada’s vast coasts and waterways, especially in remote Northern locations. It will allow the Canadian Coast Guard to gather and share security intelligence for a comprehensive picture of what is happening in Canada’s territorial waters.