Chantier Davie Canada has been awarded a C$11Bn (US$8Bn) contract to build six Polar Class 3 icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard, marking the largest shipbuilding contract in Québec's history. All six vessels will be constructed at the Davie Shipyard in Lévis, Québec, replacing the Coast Guard's aging heavy and medium icebreakers. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the contract in Lévis on 25 Aug 2026, stating the programme will create nearly 5,000 jobs during construction, support domestic steel manufacturers
and suppliers, and contribute nearly C$650M annually to the country's GDP. Carney said the investment strengthens Canada's domestic shipbuilding industry, secures critical trade routes, and reinforces national security in the North, positioning Canada as home to NATO's largest icebreaking fleet. Construction of the first ship is due to begin in 2027, with delivery in 2032 and the full fleet in service by 2038. The programme was first announced under Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy in 2019. Carney linked the announcement to ongoing trade tensions with the United States, which has threatened tariffs of up to 50% on Canadian trucks, cars and steel, saying Canada is reducing dependence on any single trading partner. In 2024, Chantier Davie received a C$19.6M (US$14.1M) contract for initial design work on the six icebreakers. In 2025, the company was also awarded a C$3.25Bn (US$2.35Bn) contract to build Polar Max, expected to be one of the world's most powerful heavy icebreakers upon delivery in 2030.
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