Canadian company Davie has announced that it has begun building a new Polar Max-class icebreaker, which it is developing for the Canadian fleet.
Company President Lindsay Kettle said: "This moment marks a new era for our company. Our workers are at the heart of this achievement. Their expertise and dedication are what make projects of this size and importance possible. Our team has been given the opportunity to build a ship of national significance, and at the same time, we are creating new job opportunities for specialist talent and developing the capabilities of the Canadian shipbuilding industry."
In March 2025, the company signed a $2.34 billion contract with the Canadian government to build its first heavy icebreaker, to be delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard by 2030.
This ship is expected to contribute to maintaining a permanent presence of the Canadian fleet in the Arctic region, to support territorial water protection operations, scientific research operations, and ship supply missions.
Dozens of Canadian companies, part of Davie's extensive national supplier network, have already begun contributing to the Polar Max program. These include steelmaker Algoma Steel and advanced marine equipment manufacturer Hawboldt Industries.
Available information indicates that the new Canadian icebreaker will be 138.5 m long, with a displacement of 22,400 tons, and its basic crew will consist of 100 people.
