North Vancouver, B.C. — Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Stigterstaal Canada and Algoma Steel Inc. to explore a strategic partnership aimed at reestablishing a domestic steel supply chain focused on bolstering and expanding shipbuilding in Canada.
The memorandum provides a framework for the three companies to assess the feasibility of Algoma Steel supplying Class and non-Class steel to Seaspan through Stigterstaal, who will act as a commercial and logistical subcontractor. All parties will engage in discussions to evaluate technical, commercial and logistical requirements for Seaspan’s first-in-class icebreaker build. The collaboration also seeks to strengthen Canadian industrial capabilities and support the long-term sustainability of the national shipbuilding sector.
In April, Seaspan began construction on the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) new heavy polar icebreaker. This will be the only heavy Polar Icebreaker to be fully built in Canada and, once delivered, will be the largest and most capable ship in the CCG’s fleet. The ship will be used for scientific expeditions, search and rescue missions, and protecting Canada’s Arctic sovereignty. Capable of breaking 2.5 metres of ice continuously, the ship will be used for year-round operations in the Arctic. The heavy icebreaker is the seventh vessel designed and built by Seaspan under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).
The MoU aligns with Seaspan’s broader efforts to increase the use of Canadian-made materials in shipbuilding under the NSS and foster collaboration across the country’s industrial base. Through the NSS, Seaspan is delivering tangible industrial and regional benefits to the marine industry across Canada. Seaspan’s NSS supply chain now includes more than 800 Canadian companies resulting in more than $3 billion in contracts.
“This signed Memorandum of Understanding paves the way for Seaspan, Stigterstaal and Algoma to build on our shared goals of mutual economic benefits to our nation,” said Kate Morton, Vice President, Supply Chain Management, Seaspan. “Seaspan is committed to partnering with Algoma and Stigterstaal for future shipbuilding initiatives, ensuring that knowledge from other shipbuilding and icebreaking jurisdictions is developed in Canada.”
“At Stigterstaal Canada, we are extremely proud to be part of rebuilding the Canadian shipbuilding industry alongside partners like Algoma. Over the past few years, a significant upgrade has taken place at the mill in Sault Ste. Marie, transforming it into one of the most modern heavy plate mills in the Western Hemisphere,” commented Ronald de Groot, CEO, Stigterstaal Canada.
Christopher Ford, Chief Commercial Officer, Algoma Steel, declared: “Algoma Steel is proud to support Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy and serve as a strategic supplier to the country’s infrastructure and defense sectors. With the completion of our plate mill modernization and the ongoing transformation to Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking, we are well positioned to deliver high-quality, made-in-Canada steel for critical national projects. This collaboration underscores our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our customers and advancing Canadian industry through reliable, domestically produced steel.”
(Steel facility photo from Algoma Steel and Seaspan artist rendering of polar icebreaker)