The industry has a long and proud history that encompasses everything from the world's finest 19th-century sailing schooners to modern worldclass icebreakers. In between are a diverse group of vessels that have been designed and built in this country to serve our unique, expansive coastline and its network of coastal marine communities.
The Canadian shipbuilding and industrial marine industry consists of:
- shipyards located in several parts of Canada, capable of building a wide range of vessels; and
- firms with specialized capabilities in manufacturing and repairing ships, building oil and gas rigs, and supplying related equipment, technologies and services.
As the shipbuilding and industrial marine industry moves toward higher value and more sophisticated segments of the market, the quality of the equipment that goes into a new vessel is increasingly important. For instance, offshore oil platforms require tremendous technological resources and expertise for their conceptual design, construction and operation. They are part of complex, hightech, high-value-added projects involving all segments of the industry.
Canadian shipyards have built:
- ferries
- fishing vessels
- offshore supply vessels
- lakers
- tugboats
- cargo ships
- offshore drilling platforms
The industry also has experience in producing:
- sophisticated naval ships
- icebreakers
- coast guard vessels.
As a result, the shipbuilding and industrial marine industry generates a considerable and lucrative demand for:
- electronic navigational devices
- communication equipment
- radar and sonar
- marine robotics
- sub-sea vehicles
- imaging equipment
- marine applications programming.
The equipment manufacturers are, and will continue to be, an integral and essential part of the industrial marine sector that ensures its competitiveness.
Canadian Excellence: Our Success Stories
High-Speed Patrol and Search & Rescue Crafts
Canadian shipyards have seen great success in designing and building high-speed patrol and search & rescue crafts. Canadian jet boat designs have been selected by a variety of police forces, fire forces, coast guards and navies worldwide, including the U.S. Navy. Canadian shipyards have been recognized for their expertise in this field, winning several prestigious design and industry awards for excellence in design and construction.
Sophisticated Tugboat Production
The Canadian shipbuilding industry has built Anchor Handling Tugs, built for harsh environments. Since the 1990s, Canadian shipyards have secured major international contracts, without the use of subsidies. These include projects for the Panama Canal Authority, a variety of international companies and several governments worldwide, with vessels currently operating in several diverse locales, such as the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
State-of-the-Art Fishing Boats, Pleasure Yachts and Catamarans
Canadian shipyards build state-of-the-art fishing boats, pleasure yachts and catamarans. Combining old techniques with the latest trends and technologies, the Canadian industry has carved out a strong niche for itself and won awards in the process.
Cruise Ship Repair Services
Canadian cruise ship services are customized to exceed the demands of the industry. The industry's modern west coast facilities provide the highest quality cruise ship repair services in North America. Emergency repairs are available 24 hours a day, at anchor, at berth or while underway.
The Mobile Offshore Drilling Industry
Canada's east coast shipyards are capable of building structures for the Mobile Offshore Drilling industry. With their close proximity to, and participation in, large-scale offshore developments on the East Coast of Canada, including Hibernia, Hebron, White Rose and Terra Nova, Canadian shipyards are in the middle of the action — experienced and ready to serve.
Need More Information on Shipbuilding in Canada?
The Canadian Shipbuilding and Industrial Marine Team at Industry Canada has expert and comprehensive knowledge of Canadian shipbuilding capabilities. For more information, contact us