Canadian Coast Guard’s new Icebreakers

As part of the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy and in accordance with the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet renewal planning, six new icebreakers will be built for the Coast Guard. These icebreakers are fundamental to year-round safe and efficient movement of ships and goods in Canadian waters.

The new program icebreakers will replace the Coast Guard’s heavy and medium icebreakers that operate in Atlantic Canada and the St. Lawrence waterways during the winter and in the Arctic during the summer.  In Atlantic Canada, these program icebreakers help ensure year-long ferry service, escort ships through ice-covered waters and the clearance of ice from harbours and wharfs, which is essential to Canada’s commercial fisheries. In the Arctic, they provide icebreaking support to ships with vulnerable cargoes, such as dangerous goods and perishable products, and support vessels transporting cargo that is a vital part of the northern communities’ sealift and resupply.

The new program icebreakers will be built at a third strategic shipyard that will be selected through a competitive process under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

July, 2019