Seaspan hires Ideal Welders to work on block construction on polar icebreaker

October 23, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Canadian Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has entered into a contract with Ideal Welders for the fabrication of 30 blocks of the new heavy polar icebreaker that Seaspan is building for the Canadian Coast Guard.

This new contract for block construction on the Polar Icebreaker represents the latest step in the ongoing collaboration between Seaspan and Ideal Welders. The two companies have worked together for many years, with Ideal Welders contributing to several Seaspan projects, including the construction of the bulbous bows for both joint support ships, HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver.

The partnership began with the fabrication of pipe spools and has since developed into the construction and outfitting of complete ship blocks, reflecting the growing scope of work between the two organizations.

“This announcement is more than just a contract. It is a continuation of the commitment that Seaspan has made to grow shipbuilding in British Columbia,” said Kate Morton, Vice President – Supply Chain, Seaspan Shipyards.

“As we continue to build icebreakers in Canada, for Canada, we are advancing our efforts expand the capabilities of those around us, and build blocks for these ships domestically. When we can leverage the expertise and skills which exist within our own borders, building icebreakers fully within Canada becomes the best path forward.”

“Ideal Welders is excited to be continuing our ongoing partnership with Seaspan Shipyards and to be contributing to the construction of the Canadian Coast Guard’s most powerful icebreaker,” stated Robert Buchmann, President of Ideal Welders.

“We are pleased to have shown, through our work on other Coast Guard and Navy vessels, that we can be trusted partner under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. This contract will support a number of highly-skilled trades positions here in Delta, and reinforce the newfound stability of the shipbuilding industry in BC.”

To remind, Seaspan cut steel on the new Polar Icebreaker in April 2025. It will be the seventh vessel designed and built by the shipyard under the NSS, the fifth Polar-class vessel to be built for the CCG, and one of up to 21 icebreaking vessels overall that Seaspan is constructing.

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.

Canada: Construction starts on CCG’s heavy polar icebreaker at Seaspan Shipyards

Vessels

As highlighted by Seaspan, the vessel will play “a critical role” in enabling the Canadian Coast Guard to transit and operate on more than 162,000 km of the Arctic coastline. The capabilities of this Polar-class 2 icebreaker will help sustain a 12-month presence in Canada’s North and high-Arctic science (including climate change research). The ship will be able to respond to major maritime emergencies, including search and rescue.