Ottawa – Davie yesterday celebrated the ceremonial coin placement for Polar Max in Helsinki and marked the occasion with a parallel ceremony in Ottawa, underscoring another important milestone in the delivery of Canada’s next polar icebreaker under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Rooted in centuries-old shipbuilding tradition, a coin ceremony involves placing a coin beneath the keel of a new vessel to bless the ship and symbolize good fortune, strength, and safe passage for all who will serve aboard. While construction of Polar Max is already underway in Lévis, Québec, the ceremony marks a symbolic chapter in the life of Canada’s future polar icebreaker.
Construction is progressing at a rapid pace and is already delivering economic benefits across Canada. The program supports Canadian jobs, Canadian suppliers, and the use of Canadian-made steel, as work advances in Lévis through Davie’s growing national supply chain. Awarded to Davie in March 2025 and scheduled for delivery by 2030, Polar Max is being built largely in Canada to serve the country’s long-term Arctic interests and reinforce sovereign capabilities in the North.
The program is advancing through close collaboration between Davie and Helsinki Shipyard, in alignment with the needs of the Canadian Coast Guard. Davie’s dual-build approach is accelerating delivery while also creating significant benefits for Canada. This initiative is generating high-quality jobs at Davie and across the Canadian shipbuilding sector, supporting workers in communities nationwide. Additionally, the program is stimulating economic growth along the entire Canadian supply chain, as numerous contracts have been confirmed with Canadian companies such as the Algoma Steel through its partnership with Davie.
Once delivered, Polar Max will be one of the most powerful and capable conventional heavy icebreakers in the world. The vessel will enable the Canadian Coast Guard to maintain a sustained, year-round presence in the Arctic and support sovereignty operations, scientific research, environmental protection, and essential resupply missions in some of the harshest maritime environments on Earth.
“The Polar Max coin ceremony marks another important step in a project that is already moving at an exceptional pace. Work is advancing in Lévis with Canadian workers, suppliers, and steel. Polar Max is helping strengthen Canada’s shipbuilding capacity while delivering a strategically vital ship on time and on budget,” said James Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Davie.
“Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we are supporting good jobs and growing a skilled workforce across the country, and nowhere is that more evident than at Davie. Today’s milestone, marking progress on the construction of the Polar Max, which includes the use of Canadian steel and Canadian suppliers, is a perfect example of how we are strengthening our industrial base while modernizing Coast Guard capabilities. Arctic sovereignty is more important than ever, and this state-of-the-art icebreaking vessel will help safeguard our North through year-round operations. With valued partners like Davie, we are delivering real benefits for Canadian and Québec workers while keeping Canada safe, strong, and free,” said Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Québec Lieutenant.
Kevin Brosseau, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, declared: “On behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard, I congratulate Davie on this important milestone in the construction of Canada’s future polar icebreaker. Today’s coin-laying ceremony reflects the progress of our partnership and the joint expertise between Canada and Finland driving this project forward, bringing us closer to a vessel that will strengthen year-round Arctic operations and support Canada’s presence in the North for decades to come.”
Bernard Drainville, Member of National Assembly for Lévis, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Maritime Strategy, stated: “Polar Max is proof that Québec has the expertise, talent, and ambition needed to play a central role in Canada’s major strategic projects. Through the work being carried out in Lévis by Davie and its partners, we are strengthening both our maritime economy and our industrial autonomy, while reinforcing Québec’s position as an indispensable partner in shipbuilding sector. This project is creating high-quality jobs here in Québec and confirms our key role as a global leader in shipbuilding and maritime innovation.”
Photo from left to right: Bernard Drainville, Member of the National Assembly for Lévis, Coalition Avenir Québec, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister responsible for the Maritime Strategy ; Lindsey Kettel , President – President, Davie ; James Davies , Chief Executive Officer, Davie; Robb Wight , Deputy Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard ; Carlos Leitao , Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry.