Davie Awarded Historic Contract to Build Six Program Icebreakers Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy

LÉVIS, QC, Aug. 24, 2026 /CNW/ -- At a ceremony in Lévis, Québec, Davie Shipbuilding today announced that it has secured a historic contract from the Government of Canada to build six Program Icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). The fixed-price contract, valued at $11.3 billion, marks a decisive step in the renewal and expansion of Canada's Arctic fleet under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Construction of the first vessel will begin in 2027, with all vessels being delivered throughout the 2030s.

Through this contract, the Government of Canada has demonstrated vision and decisive leadership by adapting contractual approaches to meet today's strategic, economic, and security realities. The agreement reflects Canada's confidence in Davie's ability to assume risk and deliver complex, mission-critical vessels, while establishing a collaborative framework that enables Davie, its partners and suppliers to drive greater efficiency, productivity, and innovation in support of Canada's long-term shipbuilding objectives.

The new fleet will replace the CCG's heavy and medium icebreakers operating in Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence waterways and the Great Lakes during the winter, and in the Arctic during the summer. This investment will ensure that the CCG can continue delivering the critical services that Canadians rely on every day, including keeping vital trade and transportation routes open year-round, supporting northern and coastal communities, protecting Canada's waters, and strengthening the country's presence and sovereignty in the Arctic.

A Lasting Impact for Québec and Canada

This contract reinforces the momentum of the NSS and reflects the Canadian government's clear commitment to rebuilding sovereign shipbuilding capacity and strengthening the defence industrial base. The program will bolster domestic supply chains and enhance Canada's industrial resilience by prioritizing Canadian suppliers, materials, expertise, and manufacturing capacity in full support of the Government of Canada's Buy Canadian Policy.

Quotes

"In Québec, the maritime industry is at the heart of our economy, our history, and our identity. Our government was right to believe in Davie and to provide it with the means to succeed. By supporting the modernization of the Lévis shipyard and the acquisition of the Helsinki shipyard, Québec helped create the conditions that have enabled Davie to secure these $11.3 billion federal contracts. This is excellent news for our workers, our suppliers, and our regions."
--Christine Fréchette, Premier of Québec

"As we shore up our economic sovereignty in a more unpredictable world, Canada continues to rely on trusted industrial allies like Chantier Davie. Their skilled workers here in Lévis are valued partners to the Government of Canada and have proven integral to the success of our Defense Industrial Strategy. Today's announcement of a contract for six program icebreakers builds on their strong record and will bring good-paying jobs throughout the supply chain, translating into real economic benefits in Quebec and across the country. The vessels themselves will secure our extensive coastlines and waterways, and contribute to a strong, sovereign Canada, long into the future." 
-- The Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant

"Québec has a long and proud shipbuilding tradition, and this program further reinforces our position as a strategic centre of expertise for Arctic and specialized vessel production. The construction of these six Program Icebreakers by Davie will create high-quality jobs here in Lévis, support Québec workers and suppliers, and generate major economic benefits across the province. This is a concrete investment in Québec's economy, innovation, and unique expertise." 
--Bernard Drainville, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy of Québec and Minister Responsible for Maritime Strategy

"We thank the Government of Canada for its leadership and vision in challenging the status quo and reshaping how major national projects are delivered. This contract reflects Canada's confidence in Davie's ability to deliver complex, mission–critical ships. I am incredibly proud of our team and our partners, who continue to drive productivity and innovation in shipbuilding. Together, we are ready to deliver."
--James Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Davie

"On behalf of the City of Lévis, I welcome the Government of Canada's decision to award this historic contract. It confirms Davie's position as the country's largest shipyard and as a leader in the construction of icebreakers that help safeguard Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic. It also strengthens Lévis' position as a leading centre for shipbuilding, innovation, and the development of a highly skilled workforce across the industry. I would like to congratulate everyone who contributed to this achievement."
--Steven Blainey, Mayor of Lévis

"This program represents a step change not only in scale, but also in how we build. Delivering multiple vessels within a class will allow our teams to continuously improve, develop new skills, and increase productivity with each ship we produce. That translates into better outcomes for Canada, with greater efficiency and lower costs over the life of the program. It also gives us the confidence to invest further in research and development so we can push the boundaries of innovation and make our shipbuilding capabilities even stronger. Together with our workforce and our Québec-based suppliers, we are building not just ships, but a more competitive and advanced industry for the future."
--Alex Vicefield, Chairman and CEO of Inocea, parent company of Davie

"This program is transformative for our workforce and for the future of shipbuilding in Canada. It provides long-term certainty. With this contract we can offer unparalleled opportunities for our employees to grow and excel. Combined with our ongoing investments in infrastructure, these contracts will allow our teams and suppliers to reach levels of efficiency and productivity never seen in Canadian shipbuilding. By building these world-class vessels, we will help create a stronger, more competitive industry for generations to come."
--Lindsey Kettel, President, Davie

"Our Canadian Coast Guard's icebreaking services are vital to keep our waterways open and safe while maintaining the flow of trade that underpins Canada's economic growth. The new Program Icebreakers will be game–changing assets across our Southern and Arctic waterways, equipping our crews with the capability they need to carry out critical operations year–round. These vessels will strengthen our support to coastal and northern communities, expand our capacity for science missions, and reinforce Canada's presence and maritime security in an Arctic region that is becoming more active and important every year."
--Kevin Brosseau, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard

About Davie

Based in Québec, Canada since 1825, Davie is a world-class designer and builder of specialist, mission-critical ships such as icebreakers, ferries and warships for government and commercial customers. Davie became a partner in the Government of Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy on April 4, 2023. This historic agreement is for the design and construction of the largest and most technologically advanced ice-going ships ever constructed in and for Canada. Davie is part of Inocea, a global shipbuilding group operating five major shipyard facilities across Canada, the United States, and Finland. Together, the group represents one of the most significant independent shipbuilding footprints in the Western world. Learn more at davie.ca helsinkishipyard.fi and gulfcopper.com.

SOURCE Davie

For further information, please contact: Catherine W. Audet, Director, Public Affairs, Davie, [email protected], [phone]