Royal Canadian Navy Discussions and updates

[CorvetteCrunch]

Preserver is starting to take shape. Wish Canada would build a couple more.

I think the RCN should procure atleast 1 more JSS sometime in the future, along a similar line as the Germans did with the Berlin class. Berlin and Frankfurt am Main were laid down in 1999 and 2000 respectively, while Bonn was laid down a decade later in 2010 to a modified design. Seaspan is unable to immediately build another JSS due to other ongoing vital programs like the Arpatuuq class Polar Icebreaker and Multi-Purpose Vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard. Building a third JSS in the future (Provider?) to a further improved design would work to rectify any issues that will inevitably be found with the JSS design while working up and in service.

 

[shadow99]

Canadian Defence Review has a tour of HMCS Protecteur. Great to see progress, especially having the switchboards coming online in a few days.

 

[Sender]

Contract finally signed for the first Polar Icebreaker:

Seaspan awarded $3.15-billion contract for CCG's Polar Icebreaker

Seaspan awarded $3.15-billion contract by Canada for the construction of 1 of CCG’s polar icebreakers under the NSS.

canadiandefencereview.com

Presumably, like the RCN ships, includes a period of in-service support.

 

[John Fedup]

Contract finally signed for the first Polar Icebreaker:

Seaspan awarded $3.15-billion contract for CCG's Polar Icebreaker

Seaspan awarded $3.15-billion contract by Canada for the construction of 1 of CCG’s polar icebreakers under the NSS.

canadiandefencereview.com

Presumably, like the RCN ships, includes a period of in-service support.

For 3 billion plus, I would like to think there is some support included.

 

[Sender]

For 3 billion plus, I would like to think there is some support included.

Further to this, another government contract has been signed with Davie this time, for a second Polar Class ship, to be partially built in Finland:

Davie Awarded Major Contract by Canada to Build Polar Icebreaker

Lévis — Davie, the Québec-based international shipbuilder, today announced it has been awarded a contract by the Government of Canada for the construction of a needed polar icebreaker. This initiative will leverage Davie’s international presence, with work beginning in 2025, under a robust...

www.davie.ca

This seems to be a modified design, that Davie calls Polar Max E. Not a ton of detail, and just as eye-wateringly expensive, BUT it will be delivered 2 years earlier than the Seaspan ship (2030 vs 2032), presumably due to the availability of the capacity of the Helsinki yard. It was a good strategic move by Davie to purchase Helsinki Shipyard.

 

[Sender]

And in other news, the construction contract for the River Class has been signed. This is big news.

Government of Canada announces contract award for the construction of the River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy - Canada.ca

Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, and the Honourable Darren Fisher, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, announced the...

www.canada.ca

 

[John Fedup]

Further to this, another government contract has been signed with Davie this time, for a second Polar Class ship, to be partially built in Finland:

Davie Awarded Major Contract by Canada to Build Polar Icebreaker

Lévis — Davie, the Québec-based international shipbuilder, today announced it has been awarded a contract by the Government of Canada for the construction of a needed polar icebreaker. This initiative will leverage Davie’s international presence, with work beginning in 2025, under a robust...

www.davie.ca

This seems to be a modified design, that Davie calls Polar Max E. Not a ton of detail, and just as eye-wateringly expensive, BUT it will be delivered 2 years earlier than the Seaspan ship (2030 vs 2032), presumably due to the availability of the capacity of the Helsinki yard. It was a good strategic move by Davie to purchase Helsinki Shipyard.

Are there any significant design differences between the Seaspan and Davie heavies or is it too early to know?

 

[Sender]

Are there any significant design differences between the Seaspan and Davie heavies or is it too early to know?

The Davie design appears to be about 140m and 23000 tons, versus 158m and 26000 tons for the Seaspan design. They are both Polar Class 2, but the Seaspan appears to be a bit more strongly built as it has the + designation (PC 2+). It looks like the main difference is the Seaspan design has more scientific space, whereas the Davie is mostly pure icebreaker.