Seaspan, Genoa Design partner on Canadian Coast Guard’s heavy polar icebreaker

Seaspan Shipyards has signed a contract with Newfoundland-based Genoa Design International (Genoa) to continue working on the design of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new heavy polar icebreaker.

Under the contract, Genoa will provide design guidance. Work will continue into the vessel’s build phase, already underway at Vancouver Shipyards. Additionally, Genoa will lend its technical leadership and program support essential to advancing the nation’s first built-in-Canada heavy icebreaker in more than 60 years.

The new polar icebreaker being built by Seaspan measures 158 metres in length and 28 metres in width. It is designed to operate independently in the high-Arctic throughout the year, supporting a range of activities along Canada’s Arctic coastline, which spans over 162,000 km.

Classified as a Polar Class 2 vessel, the icebreaker is intended to maintain a year-round presence in northern waters. Its roles include supporting scientific research, including climate studies, assisting Indigenous and other northern communities, and responding to maritime emergencies such as search and rescue operations. The vessel will have accommodations for up to 100 personnel and is capable of operating in challenging ice conditions farther north and for longer durations than any current Canadian icebreaker.

Its design and capabilities are intended to provide sustained operational support for both strategic and community-focused activities in Canada’s Arctic regions.

“Genoa’s signing of the Polar Icebreaker Build Contract with Vancouver Shipyards is the latest milestone in an enduring partnership that began and continues under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. Together, we are strengthening our nation’s ability to support national fleet requirements, from ship construction to vessel lifecycle support. Now more than ever, Canadian companies like Genoa are vitally important to the nation’s sovereignty and security,” Gina Pecore, CEO, Genoa Design International, said.

“This contract represents a significant step forward for the Polar team that has been working on previous design phases since 2022, while continuing the strong 15-year partnership we’ve established with VSY across four major new build programs,” Laurie Balan, COO, Genoa Design International, stated.

“Seaspan’s new heavy polar icebreaker is more than a ship – it represents a national capability for generations. Genoa continues to be an important Canadian design partner, helping us deliver this flagship vessel to the Coast Guard. Together, we’re continuing to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of Canada’s revitalized shipbuilding industry,” Kate Morton, Vice President, Supply Chain, Seaspan, commented.

This built-in-Canada ship will be the seventh vessel designed and built by Seaspan under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). It will also be the fifth Polar Class vessel to be built for the CCG, and one of up to 21 icebreaking vessels overall that Seaspan is constructing.