First Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker is “on track” for keel laying in late 2026
A composite of the CCGS Arpatuuq Icebreaker. (Photo: Seaspan Shipyards)
Canadian Coast Guard Ship Arpatuuq construction is in the block manufacturing phase. Once built, it will be the largest vessel in the Coast Guard’s inventory.
Seaspan Shipyards has been progressing with the construction of the first Polar Icebreaker for the Canadian Coast Guard, CCGS Arpatuuq. An official spokesperson for the company told Shephard that the supplier anticipates reaching the ship’s keel-laying milestone next year.
“It [vessel building] is still relatively early on. We are currently in the block manufacturing phase,” the official said. “The next major milestone for the Polar Icebreaker will be the ship’s keel laying. This is currently on track to be achieved in late 2026.”
The Polar Class 2 platform will be the first heavy cold-weather vessel entirely built in Canada
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![From Chokepoints to the Deep: ASELSAN’s Naval Vision at EURONAVAL]()
From Chokepoints to the Deep: ASELSAN’s Naval Vision at EURONAVAL
From deployable ship defence to autonomous sea and underwater vehicles, ASELSAN is preparing for a new era of naval security.
-
![Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift]()
Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift
The 50m, six-person ship from the Italian shipbuilder carries swappable, containerised payloads instead of a fixed mission, reflecting a shift that is becoming increasingly evident.
-
![Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties]()
Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties
HMCS Victoria and HMCS Windsor could return from their current deep maintenance, but unconfirmed operational timelines leave questions over patrol capacity before the first CPSP arrives.
