The Davie shipyard officially began the construction phase of the Polar Max icebreaker, a state-of-the-art vessel that will reinforce Canadian maritime sovereignty in the Arctic. Arctic. This step represents a decisive advance in the country’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.
About the icebreaker Polar Max
With more than 22,000 tons and 138 meters in length, this vessel will be able to operate in extreme conditions. Its incorporation into the Coast Guard will allow it to reinforce scientific missions, security patrols and environmental operations.
The hull structure will be developed at the Helsinki shipyard, owned by Davie since 2023. This collaboration allows combining Finnish leadership in polar engineering with Canadian industrial capabilities.
The final stages of assembly and delivery will take place in Lévis, Québec, where Davie is investing $840 million in modernization.
Fixed price contract with advance delivery
The Polar Max will be built under a fixed-price contract, which ensures certainty of schedule and cost. Thanks to the hybrid approach, the vessel will be operational earlier than initially planned.
The project will generate thousands of technical jobs in the region and foster the growth of the local supply chain. More than $200 million will go to small and medium-sized Canadian companies. In addition, the ALMACO Group will establish a modular cabin manufacturing plant in Québec, marking a milestone in the country’s naval infrastructure.
Through the ICE Pact program, Canada, Finland and the United States are cooperating to develop joint polar icebreaking capabilities. The Polar Max is the first icebreaker built in transatlantic collaboration and will serve as a platform for training future generations of Canadian naval technicians.
Source and photo: Davie Shipyard
