Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Government of Canada officials visited Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) to celebrate the success of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) and mark its 15th anniversary.
Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound commended VSY on its new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed in July of 2025, with Stigterstaal Canada and Algoma Steel. Under the MOU, the 3 companies will evaluate requirements and assess the feasibility of Algoma Steel supplying Class and non-Class steel, with the support of Stigterstaal, to VSY for the polar icebreaker.
“Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Canada is delivering a modern fleet for the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard, while revitalizing the marine industry and creating thousands of skilled jobs. The ships built at Seaspan and other Canadian shipyards reflect a long-term investment in innovation, sovereignty and industrial growth under Canada’s commitment to safeguard our oceans. By strengthening domestic supply chains and prioritizing Canadian-made steel and materials, the strategy is taking another meaningful step forward and will play an even more central role in creating a resilient and prosperous economy,” said Lightbound.
This agreement is an important step toward rebuilding a robust, domestic steel supply chain that enhances national industrial capacity while opening doors to innovation, employment and long-term economic growth. Canadian-made materials and homegrown partnerships help build a more resilient and self-sustaining economy.
“The National Shipbuilding Strategy is a long-term investment in the security of our nation and the capabilities of the Royal Canadian Navy. By building ships here in Canada, we are strengthening our sovereign shipbuilding capacity, supporting Canadian industry, and ensuring our sailors are ready to meet the maritime challenges of today and tomorrow—both at home and abroad,” said David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence.
For the NSS, fostering partnerships with Canadian suppliers is an opportunity to maximize the strategy’s potential and deliver even broader national benefits. In the 15 years since its launch, the NSS has revitalized Canada’s marine sector and provided measurable economic value to Canadians. NSS contracts awarded between 2012 and the end of 2024 are estimated to have contributed close to $38.7 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product and created or maintained approximately 21,400 jobs annually between 2012 and 2025.
Through the work of VSY and other shipyards and suppliers, the NSS has bolstered the shipbuilding, refit and repair sector in British Columbia, providing a steady workflow that has helped to mitigate boom-and-bust cycles.
“As we celebrate 15 years of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, it is important to not only look back on our successes, but to look ahead to where we are going. The state of shipbuilding in Canada right now is very encouraging. In the last year, Seaspan has launched two ships, started sea trials for the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCGs) Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel and construction on the CCG’s most powerful icebreaker, and made key partnerships with Canadian companies like Algoma Steel – a true sign of the rebirth of this industry. Seaspan’s capability is a national strategic asset. We’re ready to design and build the ships Canada needs, in Canada. Thank you to our government partners, our Canadian shipbuilding supply chain and, most importantly, our world-class designers, engineers and tradespeople for proving over the last 15 years that build-in-Canada solutions are the right choice for the economy, for industry, and for Canadians,” said John McCarthy, CEO, Seaspan Shipyards.
Featured image: (Seaspan)
