Algoma wins $182M steel contract with Seaspan

Key Takeaways:

• Seaspan awarded a $182-million contract to Algoma Steel and Stigterstaal Canada for up to 24,000 tonnes of domestic steel plate.
• The Canadian-made steel will supply construction for up to six multi-purpose icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard in North Vancouver, B.C.
• The order represents the largest single polar-class steel contract in Algoma Steel’s operating history.

The Whole Story:

Seaspan Shipyards has awarded an estimated $182-million contract to Algoma Steel Inc. and marine distributor Stigterstaal Canada to supply Canadian-made structural steel plate for up to six multi-purpose icebreakers (MPI) for the Canadian Coast Guard.

Announced Nov. 3 in North Vancouver, the agreement covers up to 24,000 metric tonnes of polar-class structural steel—equating to 4,000 tonnes of plate per vessel—to support construction under the federal National Shipbuilding Strategy. The order marks the largest polar-class steel procurement in the history of Algoma’s Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., mill.

Under the partnership, Algoma will manufacture the specialized structural plate, while Stigterstaal will oversee marine steel logistics, processing, and distribution. The contract builds on an initial corporate collaboration formed among the three companies in 2025 to increase domestic material content across federal defence procurement programs.

Designed by Seaspan’s engineering team, the 100-metre multi-purpose icebreakers will displace nearly 9,000 tonnes, accommodate a crew of 50, and feature diesel-electric propulsion capable of Polar Class 4 (PC4) operations. The vessels are designated for year-round service across Arctic and offshore waters, delivering icebreaking, search and rescue, environmental response, and northern sovereignty missions.

All vessels in the multi-purpose program will be fabricated at Seaspan’s shipyards in British Columbia, which currently holds up to 16 icebreakers on its orderbook alongside Canada’s future flagship heavy polar icebreaker, the CCGS Imnaryuaq.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly stated that procuring domestic steel for federal fleet renewals strengthens Canada’s sovereign industrial defence base, protects well-paying manufacturing jobs, and reinforces domestic supply chains amid geopolitical trade pressures.