OTTAWA, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The Canadian government announced Friday that it awarded a contract to Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards for the construction of one of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)'s future polar icebreakers.
According to a news release issued by Public Services and Procurement Canada, the contract valued at 3.15 billion Canadian dollars (2.19 billion U.S. dollar) (before tax) is part of the CCG's fleet renewal plan which is acquiring two polar icebreakers.
The other polar icebreaker is being built by Chantier Davie Canada Inc., said the release, adding that these vessels will strengthen the CCG's Arctic presence, and have greater, more advanced capabilities than the current, most capable CCG icebreakers.
According to Seaspan Shipyards Chief Executive Officer John McCarthy, the company will start construction on this ship next month.
The CCG currently has 18 icebreakers of varying sizes and capabilities, making it the second-largest icebreaking fleet in the world. ■
