Seaspan hires Elomatic to provide services for Canadian Coast Guard’s polar icebreaker

October 14, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards (Seaspan) has awarded a contract to Elomatic Consulting to provide engineering and design support services for the Canadian Coast Guard’s polar icebreaker.

Under this contract, Elomatic will provide build design support, ensuring that the polar icebreaker is optimized for construction at Vancouver Shipyards and is fully equipped to meet the Canadian Coast Guard’s demanding Arctic mission requirements.

The polar icebreaker is being designed and built entirely in Canada under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Measuring approximately 158 metres in length and 28 metres in beam, the vessel will feature more than 40 MW of installed power, specialized laboratories, a moon pool, a helicopter deck and hangar, and capacity for remotely piloted aircraft systems. Once complete, it will be one of the world’s most capable Polar-class 2 icebreakers, enabling year-round operations in the Arctic, according to the company.

Since joining the project in 2021, Elomatic has expanded its Vancouver office to support the evolving needs of the Polar Icebreaker program. The company has strengthened its local team by recruiting and developing Canadian talent, while also relocating experienced specialists from Europe.

“Elomatic’s expertise in marine and offshore engineering, combined with their deep experience in heavy icebreaker vessel design, makes them an invaluable partner as we progress into the build phase of this landmark project. Together, we are delivering a vessel that will serve Canada’s Arctic communities, strengthen sovereignty, and advance scientific research for generations to come,” Kate Morton, Vice President, Supply Chain Management, Seaspan Shipyards, said.

“Entering the build contract marks the final phase, and we’re excited to see our long-term design work become reality. In the spirit of the ICE Pact, we’re contributing our expertise to strengthen Canada’s shipbuilding capabilities while growing our own Canadian team, led by local talent and supported by European specialists,” Rami Hirsimäki, Senior Vice President, Marine at Elomatic, stated.

To remind, Seaspan cut the steel on the new heavy polar icebreaker in April this year, signifying the start of the construction process on the vessel.