The Canadian government plans to construct six new icebreakers with a total value of 11 billion dollars by 2038, aimed at strengthening its position in the Arctic and supporting the domestic shipbuilding industry.
Sea-news.az reports that this was stated in an official announcement published on the official website of the country’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney. The vessels will be built within the framework of a strategic partnership between the Canadian government and the shipbuilding company Chantier Davie Canada Inc. As part of the project, the icebreakers will be manufactured entirely using steel and other local raw materials produced in Canada.
Amid the melting of Arctic ice and the opening of northern sea routes, the new vessels will bolster Canada’s maritime sovereignty and Coast Guard capabilities.
The icebreaker program was announced against the backdrop of escalating trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa:
Following statements by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that Canada had withdrawn from bilateral trade agreements, 50 percent U.S. import tariffs on certain categories of Canadian goods took effect on August 22. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the official suspension of trade negotiations with the U.S., and Ottawa is expected to introduce retaliatory tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that a 50 percent tariff will be imposed on Canadian automobiles, auto parts, and steel starting January 1 of next year.
