367
Views

Seaspan Lays the Keel for Canada's Biggest Domestically-Built Icebreaker

Hundreds of shipyard workers gather for the keel-laying for the future CCGS Imnaryuaq, with a nearly-completed naval auxiliary in the background (CCG)
Hundreds of shipyard workers gather for the keel-laying for the future CCGS Imnaryuaq, with a nearly-completed naval auxiliary in the background (CCG)

By The Maritime Executive 2026-10-16 22:52:39

Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards has carried out the keel-laying ceremony for the Canadian Coast Guard's next polar icebreaker, the future CCGS Imnaryuaq. It has been 15 years since the initial contract was awarded for Imnaryuaq, and the long-awaited vessel is now formally under way towards completion. Delivery is expected in 2032. 

At 520 feet long and 26,000 tonnes displacement, Imnaryuaq will be the largest icebreaker ever built in Canada. The ship will be constructed to Polar Class 2 standards for service in up to 10 feet of ice, with extra strengthening for severe duty in the High Arctic. With room for a science complement of up to 40 people, the vessel is ready for research missions as well as sovereign presence and SAR operations. 

"Today’s keel laying is an important step forward in the renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet," said CCG Commissioner Kevin Brosseau in a statement. "The CCGS Imnaryuaq, named to honor Inuit placenames and culture, will be a world-class icebreaker that will protect Arctic sovereignty and serve Canadians and communities across Inuit Nunangat for generations to come."

Imnaryuaq was initially scheduled to deliver in 2017, but construction was pushed back to make room for the Royal Canadian Navy's two Protecteur-class naval auxiliaries. Both are nearing completion at Seaspan and delivery is expected in the next several years. 

Canadian leaders also opted to buy another polar icebreaker from a different shipbuilder. Davie's Helsinki Shipyard is currently building the second vessel to a different design. The Helsinki Shipyard / Davie hull is slightly smaller, and is scheduled for delivery in 2030. Davie's vessel will cost US$2.3 billion, and Seaspan's CCGS Imnaryuaq is expected to cost US$3 billion.

Seaspan has constructed multiple ice-classed vessels for the CCG already as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, and is also building 16 smaller multipurpose icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard.