Davie Secures Official Role in Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy

Davie Shipbuilding, Canada’s largest shipbuilder, has been named an official partner in the country’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS),

Davie joins Irving Shipbuilding Inc. in Nova Scotia and Seaspan Shipyards in Vancouver, British Columbia as the third official shipbuilding partner in the program.

This agreement includes an initial minimum of $8.5 billion in shipbuilding programs, making it one of the most significant milestones in the Davie’s 200-year history.

Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) is a long-term, multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by the Canadian government in 2011 to renew and modernize the country’s naval and coast guard fleets, as well as to revitalize the domestic shipbuilding industry. The strategy is structured around non-combatant (including icebreakers, offshore science vessels, and support ships) and combatant vessels (such as frigates and Arctic offshore patrol ships). Since 2012, the Canadian Government has awarded more than $21 billion in shipbuilding-related contracts.

Davie’s initial work will include six program icebreakers and one polar icebreaker for the Canadian Coast Guard, as well as and two large hybrid-powered ferries as part of the non-combat package.

“This historic agreement puts the ‘National’ in National Shipbuilding Strategy, and the federal government deserves much credit,” said James Davies, President and CEO of Davie. “It is an acknowledgement of everything Davie has achieved over the past decade, our expertise and the quality of our Quebec-based workforce. We can now get to work delivering the icebreakers Canada urgently needs to meet its growing responsibilities as an international Arctic presence.”

A report by Deloitte released in November 2022 concluded that Davie’s participating will create up 4,700 well-paid, long-term careers over the next 20 years, leading to up to $21 billion in overall impact on the Canadian economy.

“Today’s announcement is bringing us one step closer to building the fleets for Canada’s future. Our strategic partnership with Chantier Davie will help ensure our Coast Guard is supported by modern, made-in-Canada vessels so it can continue to save lives, keep our waters secure, and protect the environment,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “This will also help strengthen Canada’s world-class marine industry and create good middle-class jobs, right here in Quebec.”

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