The Government of Canada has celebrated the 15th anniversary of its National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards, highlighting the program’s role in revitalizing Canada’s marine sector, creating thousands of jobs, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
A newly signed Memorandum of Understanding with Canadian steel suppliers is set to further boost national industrial capacity for upcoming federal shipbuilding projects.
Strengthening Sovereign Shipbuilding and Supply Chains
Launched in 2010, the NSS aims to provide the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) with modern vessels while ensuring construction takes place in Canada. Since its inception, the strategy has contributed an estimated $38.7 billion to the national GDP and supported over 21,000 jobs annually.
In British Columbia alone, shipyards have awarded over $1.3 billion in supplier contracts to more than 560 local firms, helping stabilize the industry and end the traditional boom-and-bust cycle in shipbuilding.
Expanding Domestic Industrial Capacity
The NSS has driven growth in Canada’s marine supply chain by encouraging partnerships with local manufacturers, technology providers, and service companies. The program’s focus on “Made-in-Canada” solutions ensures that investment in naval infrastructure translates directly into economic benefits for Canadian communities.
It also allows Canadian companies to develop expertise that can be leveraged for both domestic and international projects.
New Partnership to Boost Domestic Steel Production
Recently, Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards signed an agreement with Canadian steel producers to explore supplying high-grade steel for the CCG’s upcoming polar icebreaker.
This move is expected to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, enhance supply chain resilience, and create opportunities for innovation and long-term economic growth. By prioritizing Canadian-made materials for major federal projects, the NSS is reinforcing both industrial capacity and national self-reliance in shipbuilding.
Preparing for Future Maritime Challenges
With multiple large-scale projects underway including the polar icebreaker, joint support ships, and multi-purpose icebreakers the NSS is ensuring Canada’s maritime forces have the capabilities needed for operations in Arctic, coastal, and international waters. These investments will improve Canada’s ability to respond to emergencies, enforce sovereignty, and participate in allied operations for decades to come.
After 15 years, the NSS has not only modernized Canada’s naval and coast guard fleets but has also revitalized the marine sector, expanded skilled employment, and fostered strong domestic supply partnerships.
By combining industrial investment with forward-looking ship designs and domestic material sourcing, Canada is positioning itself as a leader in sovereign shipbuilding, ready to meet evolving maritime challenges at home and abroad.
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Source: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
