Special to Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
Construction has officially begun on the Polar Max, Canada’s next-generation polar icebreaker, with a steel-cutting ceremony held at Helsinki Shipyard. The event was attended by Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State, and other dignitaries, marking a major milestone in Canada’s Arctic strategy and National Shipbuilding efforts.
The Polar Max is being built through a collaboration between Chantier Davie Canada Inc. and Helsinki Shipyard. Its hull is being fabricated in Finland, leveraging the shipyard’s experience in heavy icebreaker construction. Once completed, the hull will be transported to Davie’s facility in Lévis, Quebec, for final assembly and outfitting. This hybrid approach allows Canadian workers to gain valuable expertise in international best practices in icebreaker construction.
Expected to be operational by 2030, the Polar Max will provide the Canadian Coast Guard with unprecedented capabilities in endurance, power, and advanced technology. It will support icebreaking operations, maritime emergency response, Arctic scientific research, and the safe delivery of goods and services to northern communities.
The project is also part of a broader effort to strengthen Arctic security and industrial expertise. By combining Canadian and Finnish shipbuilding know-how, the initiative is cultivating a skilled Canadian workforce and fostering innovation across the supply chain.
In addition to its strategic and operational benefits, the Polar Max is expected to generate significant economic impact, creating high-value jobs across Quebec and Canada while supporting small and medium-sized businesses involved in the project.
As Arctic activity and geopolitical importance continue to rise, the Polar Max will play a critical role in maintaining Canada’s sovereignty, enhancing Arctic operations, and preparing the next generation of Canadian shipbuilders.
