Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards has officially delivered the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Naalak Nappaaluk. This delivery is a major achievement in Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy and marks the arrival of the country's largest dedicated science ship.
The 88-meter Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel was accepted by the Canadian Coast Guard on a Thursday in November during a ceremony at Vancouver Shipyards attended by government officials and industry leaders.
This vessel is the fourth large ship delivered by Seaspan under the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the second type of ship built for this program. The project provided jobs for over 1,000 workers at its peak and supported hundreds of suppliers across the country.
“We are very proud to deliver CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, a complex vessel that will conduct important scientific research for Canada,” said John McCarthy, CEO of Seaspan Shipyards. “Seaspan is the first shipyard to deliver two different classes of ships under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, showing that investments in West Coast shipbuilding are paying off. We are designing and building ships for Canada, right here in Canada.”
The new ship will replace the CCGS Hudson, which was retired in 2022 after 59 years of service. Designed as a floating laboratory, the Naalak Nappaaluk includes specialized equipment like wet and dry labs, an ocean sampling room, a marine mammal observation station, and advanced technology for ocean data collection.
With space for 34 crew members and 26 scientists, the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk can operate at sea for up to six weeks and travel over 6,000 nautical miles. It is also ready to assist in search and rescue and environmental response efforts as needed.
“The delivery of the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk is an important step in modernizing the Canadian Coast Guard's fleet,” said Mario Pelletier, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard. “As our largest dedicated science vessel, it will serve as a top-notch platform for essential oceanographic research and aid in managing marine resources sustainably while responding to changing ocean conditions.”
The vessel is named after Naalak Nappaaluk, a respected Inuk elder from Kangiqsujuaq, Nunavik, known for his work in promoting Inuit language and culture. The name was chosen in partnership with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, reflecting the government's commitment to reconciliation and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples.
This $1.47 billion project is part of Canada's broader National Shipbuilding Strategy, which has awarded about $54 billion in contracts as of September 2025. From 2012 to 2025, this strategy has contributed nearly $38.7 billion to Canada's GDP and created or maintained over 21,400 jobs each year.
After completing sea trials, the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk will travel from Vancouver through the Panama Canal to its home port at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where it is expected to start service in 2026.
This delivery follows other recent achievements at Seaspan, including the launch of HMCS Protecteur, the beginning of work on a heavy Polar Icebreaker, and winning a design award for six U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters.