Explore 2025 key milestones under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) for the construction and delivery of new vessels as well as repair, refit and maintenance work to sustain existing fleets.
Canada’s NSS is a transformative initiative that stands at the intersection of national security, economic growth, and innovation. Launched in 2010, the NSS aims to revitalize Canada’s shipbuilding industry by investing in the construction of ships for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and other government agencies.
- March:
- Government of Canada awards
- contract to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards for the construction of 1 polar icebreaker for the Canadian Coast Guard
- contract to Chantier Davie for the construction of1 polar icebreaker for the Canadian Coast Guard
- implementation contract to Irving Shipbuilding Inc. for construction of River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy
- Government of Canada awards
With adversaries outcompeting on multiple fronts, driven by massive investments in infrastructure and strategic assets, the West is at a critical juncture and must act swiftly to bridge the gap. This urgency underscores the vital role of Davie in Canada’s NSS, as it holds the largest icebreaker order book in the Western world.
Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) is delivering the original combat package of ships for the NSS— these include the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) and the Canadian Surface Combatant, which is now known as the River Class Destroyer (RCD) — for the RCN. The shipyard is also tasked to build a variant of the AOPS for the Canadian Coast Guard.
Canada awarded a $3.15-billion contract (before tax) to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards for the construction of 1 of CCG’s future polar icebreakers under the NSS. This marks a significant milestone in strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security.
READ: SHIPBUILDING – Seaspan Shipyards
JSS Update
Joint Support Ship 1 (HMCS Protecteur – JSS1) is alongside Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards’ outfitting pier and undergoing final outfitting and integration work.
Block construction on JSS2 continues, with the loadout of the ship’s main diesel generators and switchboards completed in June. The team is working towards the main cable pull, while consolidation of the blocks up to the ship’s superstructure continued throughout the summer.
In March 2025, Seaspan celebrated the activation of the first of two 440v main switchboards on HMCS Protecteur, a major milestone in the Joint Support Ship’s commissioning schedule.The main switchboards are critical – they control and distribute power from the ship’s generators to wherever it’s needed, relying on a vast network of cables. At completion, the length of the cables onboard the ship will total over 750km.
READ: CDR Visits Seaspan to Tour the First Joint Support Ship
The acquisition is for 15 Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) ships – now known as the River-class Destroyers (RCD)to replace both the retired Iroquois-class Destroyers and the Halifax-class frigates, with an estimated cost of $56-60 billion. This project cost also includes necessary ammunition, training, support, and infrastructure.
- April:
- full-rate production begins on the first River-class destroyer
- BAE Systems has designed the ship to meet the Royal Canadian Navy’s specific requirements and under this new contract will provide support and consultancy services throughout the build phase. BAE Systems and Irving Shipbuilding’s signed contract will ensure that ISI benefits from the expertise and learning gained across the UK’s Type 26 and Australia’s Hunter class programmes.
- READ: BAE Systems and Irving Shipbuilding sign contract for next phase of River-class destroyer programme
- Score has been awarded a $89 million contract by Irving Shipbuilding to support the construction of Canada’s future River-class destroyer (RCD) fleet. Contract will add to the over $174.5 million in economic benefits delivered to Newfoundland through the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
- READ: Score awarded $89M contract By Irving Shipbuilding to support construction of River-class destroyers
- Rolls-Royce has reached agreement on a significant scope of work to support Batch One of the River-class destroyer (RCD) program for the Royal Canadian Navy. Each ship will include three key components manufactured by Rolls-Royce: MT30 gas turbine for primary propulsion, the Mission Bay Handling System and our mtu Series 4000 diesel generators.
- READ: Rolls-Royce to provide power, handling system for Canadian River-class destroyers
- MDA Space announced that it has been awarded next phase contracts for the delivery and integration of two critical sensor systems for the River-class Destroyer (RCD) program. The contracts, valued at $60 million, are for the delivery and integration of sensor systems for the first three ships that improve situational awareness and protect the ships against laser and optical guided threats.
- READ: MDA SPACE Awarded $60 Million For Next Phase of River-Class Destroyer
- steel cut on the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Imnaryuaq, the polar icebreaker being built by Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards
- full-rate production begins on the first River-class destroyer
- July:
- Canadian Coast Guard receives delivery of the 16th search and rescue lifeboat (CCGS Baie des Chaleurs)
- full-rate production begins for the CCGS Imnaryuaq
- August:
- construction begins on the CCGS Arpatuuq, the polar icebreaker being built by Chantier Davie
- Royal Canadian Navy takes delivery of the 6th and final Arctic and offshore ship—His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Robert Hampton Gray
- October
- construction begins on the Canadian Coast Guard’s first-ever electric hybrid vessel, the near-shore fishery research vessel
- construction is completed for the 20th search and rescue lifeboat (CCGS Baie de Gaspé)
- November
- Canadian Coast Guard receives delivery of the offshore oceanographic science vessel (CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk)
- Canadian Coast Guard formally accepts the 19th search and rescue lifeboat (CCGS Mira Bay)
