Canada’s large shipbuilder Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (Davie) has inked an agreement with Pearlson & Pearlson Inc. (Pearlson) of Florida, United States on December 10 to transform Davie’s Lévis facility into North America’s largest and most versatile shipbuilding centre.

This is related to Davie’s recent decision to modify its construction strategy to better meet national shipbuilding strategy (NSS) requirements and respond to the icebreaker collaboration effort (ICE Pact) opportunity.

The modernization is critical to delivering seven heavy icebreakers, Davie said, and two hybrid ferries under Canada’s NSS.

The ambitious redevelopment and expansion plan includes six new state-of-the-art buildings, refurbishment and modernization of five existing structures, waterfront upgrades, and a new assembly hall and launch pad.

The facility will undergo a comprehensive utility infrastructure upgrade, installation of advanced overhead travelling cranes to facilitate ship module construction, and the integration of all-new plant equipment and machinery.

The project is supported by $519m in financing from the Québec government as part of an $840m expansion budget.

“Partnering with Pearlson will ensure our facility is more than ready to meet the high demands of building the most powerful and advanced icebreakers in Canadian history,” said James Davies, president and CEO of Davie.

“This project will strengthen Canada’s sovereign capability while also boosting collaboration with key allies in the United States and Finland under the recently announced Ice Pact,” added Davies.

Davie also announced the signing of an agreement with Construction Dinamo Inc. (Dinamo), a Québec construction leader, to advance the modernization of the Québec shipbuilding facility.

Davie said the collaboration with Dinamo complements Davie’s agreement with Pearlson & Pearlson Inc., also announced on December 10, putting in place the second pillar of its construction strategy, and reinforcing a collective commitment to transform the Lévis facility into North America’s most advanced shipbuilding centre.