Multi-purpose vessels

The multi-purpose vessels will enable the Canadian Coast Guard to carry out multiple missions, including:

  • icebreaking in moderate ice conditions and assisting in shipping and spring time flood control in the St. Lawrence waterway and Great Lakes region
  • search and rescue, emergency response, and security and protection missions
  • maintaining Canada’s marine navigation system composed of approximately 17,000 aids to navigation
3D rendering of multi-purpose vessel

3D rendering of multi-purpose vessel

Project at a glance

Number of vessels to be built

Up to 16

Build at

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards (VSY)

Project budget

$14.2 billion (estimate)

First vessel to be delivered

2030

Current status

In August 2020, the Government of Canada awarded an initial ancillary contract to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards to support early concept design and basic design work for the multi-purpose vessels. Under this contract, the shipyard performed options analysis and developed the basic design of the vessel.

In February 2024, the Government of Canada awarded a construction engineering services contract and a goods contract to VSY for the next steps in the project. VSY will carry out the functional and production design work and related supply chain activities necessary to continue the development of the multi-purpose vessel before beginning construction.

The year ahead

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards will continue pre-construction design work and related supply chain activities.

News

Page details

Date modified: