Seaspan Shipyards has awarded Algoma Steel Inc. and Stigterstaal Canada a contract worth approximately $182 million to supply steel plate for up to six multi-purpose icebreakers (MPI) being built for the Canadian Coast Guard. The agreement covers up to 24,000 metric tonnes of Canadian-made structural steel, or 4,000 metric tonnes per vessel, and represents the largest order of polar-class steel in Algoma's history at its Sault Ste. Marie mill. The deal builds on a strategic partnership the companies established in 2025 and forms part of Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy. Algoma will produce the structural steel, while Stigterstaal will handle marine steel processing and distribution. The MPI program is one of the largest undertakings for the Canadian Coast Guard, with up to 16 vessels on Seaspan's orderbook, alongside Seaspan's flagship heavy polar icebreaker, the future CCGS Imnaryuaq. Designed by Seaspan's icebreaker design team, the multi-purpose icebreakers will measure approximately 100 metres in length, displace nearly 9,000 tonnes, and carry a crew of 50. They will feature diesel-electric propulsion with Polar Class 4 icebreaking capability and will operate in Canada's Lower Arctic and offshore waters, supporting icebreaking, search and rescue, environmental response and sovereignty missions. All vessels will be built at Seaspan's shipyard in British Columbia. Seaspan's National Shipbuilding Strategy supply chain now includes more than 880 Canadian companies and has generated over $3 billion in contracts. Government officials, including Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and Public Works Minister Joël Lightbound, characterized the agreement as strengthening Canada's domestic supply chains and Arctic sovereignty capabilities.
