Canada’s shipbuilder and designer Davie, part of Group Davie which last year acquired Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard, has been awarded its first contract by Canada’s government for the design of the six-ship fleet of Canada’s future Program Icebreakers.
This move marks the beginning of Davie’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) work package to replenish Canada’s Arctic fleet.
Each initiative under the new contract will help advance upcoming design, construction, delivery and support phases for these strategic ships.
Davie will establish a program icebreaker project management and design office, providing “compelling opportunities for current and future generations of Canadian shipbuilders,” as Davie claims in its statement.
“Davie will engage critical subcontractors to design and certify the vessel to established safety, environmental, and performance standards,” it is added.
Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada’s minister of public services and procurement (PSPC) said: “This first contract awarded to Chantier Davie under the National Shipbuilding Strategy brings us a step closer to providing the Canadian Coast Guard with the next generation Arctic ships.
“They will be among the most advanced, sustainable and durable vessels tailored to the world’s harshest environments. The new fleet will be symbolic of Canada’s Arctic presence and crucial to keeping our country open for business year-round.”
James Davies, Davie’s president and chief executive, said: “This is a momentous first step in our journey to deliver a fleet of the largest and most advanced icebreakers ever built in and for Canada.”
Davie became a partner in the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy on April 4, 2023.
As it is reported, “this agreement is for the design and construction of the largest and most technologically advanced ships ever constructed in and for Canada.”
The initial $8.5bln package of work includes seven heavy icebreakers and two large hybrid-powered ferries.
Source: Davie.
