Davie today marked a major milestone with the rolling of Canadian-made steel for the Polar Max icebreaker of the Canadian Coast Guard at Algoma Steel’s facilities in Sault Ste. Marie. These first plates will be shipped to Lévis in the coming weeks, where construction of the vessel will soon get underway.
The historic milestone highlights Davie’s commitment to using Canadian content and building a resilient national shipbuilding supply chain. It builds on several years of planning and collaboration. Davie has been working with Algoma Steel, Stigterstaal Canada, the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, and other Canadian industry partners since 2022 to secure domestic steel solutions for the Polar Max Program and for Canada’s next generation of complex vessels.
Awarded to Davie in March 2025 under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Polar Max will be among the world’s most powerful and advanced conventional heavy icebreakers when it is delivered in 2030. Once in service, it will significantly enhance the Canadian Coast Guard’s ability to safeguard the Arctic year–round by increasing icebreaking capacity, strengthening maritime emergency response, supporting Arctic scientific research, and helping ensure the safe movement of goods and services to northern communities.
This partnership between Davie and Algoma aligns with the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy and the recently announced Buy Canadian Policy, underscoring Davie’s commitment to generating economic impact across the country. It also contributes to a stronger national supply chain powered by local expertise, innovation, and talent.
“Davie is proud to deliver the world’s most advanced icebreaker by ensuring we are maximizing the implication of the strong Canadian manufacturing base behind it. Working with Algoma puts Canadian steel at the heart of Davie’s shipbuilding capability, strengthening the shipbuilding ecosystem and supporting skilled jobs in Québec and Ontario,” said James Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Davie.
“Algoma Steel is proud to supply Canadian-made steel for programs that matter to Canadians including shipbuilding and defense. This partnership supports skilled jobs in Ontario and strengthens the industrial foundation Canada needs to build and maintain critical assets for the future,” commented Rajat Marwah, Chief Executive Officer, Algoma Steel.
“The start of Canadian steel production for the Polar Max shows how our Buy Canadian approach is strengthening industry, supporting good jobs, and building world class capability here at home. Davie and Algoma’s partnership is a model of the innovation and collaboration that keep Canada’s economy strong and competitive,” declared the Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry.
(Davie image of Polar Max design and Algoma Steel photo)