Seaspan Shipyards has officially begun construction on the Canadian Coast Guard’s new heavy polar icebreaker, cutting steel today on what will become one of the most advanced conventional polar icebreakers ever built. This marks the first time in over 60 years that a vessel of this class is being constructed in Canada. At 158 metres long and 28 metres wide, the Polar Class 2 icebreaker is designed to operate year-round in the high Arctic and will significantly enhance Canada’s ability to maintain a sovereign presence, support northern communities, and respond to maritime emergencies. The ship will be able to accommodate up to 100 personnel and operate in harsher conditions and farther north than any previous Canadian icebreaker. It is the seventh vessel to be designed and built by Seaspan under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, and one of up to 21 icebreaking vessels planned for construction.
