Joint support ships

Overview

The Joint Support Ship (JSS) project is constructing 2 new auxiliary oil replenishment vessels that will form the future Protecteur class of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). JSS 1 is known as His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Protecteur and JSS 2 will be named HMCS Preserver. These names were chosen as a tribute to the dedication and sacrifices of generations of sailors who served aboard the 2 former Protecteur-class vessels of the same names.

The JSS will be the longest naval ships ever built in Canada, at close to 174 metres in length. These new ships will enable a Naval Task Group to remain at sea for extended periods of time. They will have capabilities to support:

• the re-supply of fuel, ammunition, spare parts and other supplies between ships at sea
• the operation and maintenance of helicopters
• medical and dental facilities
• the transportation and delivery of cargo
• some operations ashore using its onboard facilities

Between 2018 and 2029, the project is expected to support approximately 3,570 jobs annually in the shipbuilding sector. It is also estimated to contribute $465 million annually to Canada’s gross domestic product.

This project represents a long-term investment in Canada’s:

• maritime security
• shipbuilding industry
• regional communities

Project at a glance

Current status

JSS 1 is alongside VSY’s outfitting pier and undergoing final outfitting and integration work. Construction of JSS 2 is advancing.

Progress of the project

• April 2026: The JSS 2 structure is fully built and integrated (100% consolidated)
• September 2025: The delivery of JSS 1 was delayed from 2026 to 2027 due to continued challenges associated with outfitting a first-of-class, complex warship
• December 2024: JSS 1 was officially named and launched, which marked the completion of the construction of the ship's hull and the first time it was lowered into the water
• June 2022: The Government of Canada announced new timelines for the delivery of the JSS
• June 10, 2020: A performance-based build contract was awarded to VSY for the full construction of 2 JSS. This build contract includes:
  • finalizing the project scope and terms
  • construction and delivery of the ships
  • spare parts
  • technical data
  • training
• Early 2019: The Government of Canada made a decision to re-sequence construction of the JSS and the offshore oceanographic science vessel (OOSV) at VSY:
  • this approach allows work to build on the momentum established by the construction of the JSS early blocks
  • under the revised sequencing, VSY began construction on JSS 1, followed by construction of the OOSV and then JSS 2

The year ahead

Sea trials for JSS 1 will be commencing in fall 2026. Construction of JSS 2 is progressing and benefiting from lessons learned. JSS 2 remains on track for delivery in late 2027 to early 2028.

News

Multimedia: Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards

• Updates on the progress of the joint support ship project: July 2018 to present
• Timelapse video of the joint support ship block 435 being moved:
  • a ship build is typically broken down into individual block units, which are then joined, most often in groups of 4, to form grand blocks
  • watch as, with millimetre precision, block 435 of joint support ship 1 is moved into position (June 2020)

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