ABB to power new Canadian polar icebreaker

November 5, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Propulsion specialist ABB has secured a contract with Helsinki Shipyard to supply a complete electric power and propulsion solution for the Polar Max icebreaker for Canada.

Polar Max will be constructed through an innovative industrial collaboration between Canadian-controlled facilities in Helsinki, Finland and Lévis, Canada.

The 22,800-tonne, 138.5-meter vessel is the first shipbuilding project at Helsinki Shipyard under the ownership of Davie, the Quebec-based international shipbuilder. In November 2023, Davie acquired Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard.

Davie to build polar icebreaker for Canadian Coast Guard

Vessels

In addition to icebreaking, the ship will also function as a research vessel, while supporting oil spill response operations and emergency towing, responding to maritime emergencies, and supporting northern resupply missions year-round.

Specifically, ABB will integrate the complete power and propulsion solution for Polar Max, comprising of Azipod electric propulsion units, shaftline propulsion motor, drives, transformers, generators, switchboards, shore connection, LTO batteries, and a power and energy management system. Moreover, the vessel will feature ABB’s AX Bridge solution to enable a better situational overview and simplify the ship maneuvering experience for the bridge crew.

The vessel is expected to be delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard by 2030.

“The Polar Max project is an important milestone in expanding production and design in Helsinki,” said Kim Salmi, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard.

“The project is an excellent example of Helsinki Shipyard’s leading Arctic shipbuilding expertise, which is in significant demand internationally. We look forward to collaborating with ABB on this new build.”

“Fostering shipbuilding collaborations with trusted partners is essential to advancing shared goals,” stated James Davies, CEO, Davie Shipbuilding.

“This contract consolidates the longstanding relationship between ABB and Davie and reflects our mutual commitment to excellence in polar shipbuilding.”