December 13, 2024 – North Vancouver, BC – Today, Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan), was proud to host the naming ceremony and launch celebration for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) new Joint Support Ship (JSS), the HMCS Protecteur – the longest naval vessel ever constructed in Canada.
The future HMCS Protecteur is the fifth ship designed, built and launched by Seaspan under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. Today’s ceremony represents years of hard work and the collective efforts of thousands of Seaspan employees, the Government of Canada and Royal Canadian Navy, as well as hundreds of others across Seaspan’s pan-Canadian supply chain.
In keeping with Naval tradition, the ship’s sponsor, Teri McKinnon, broke a bottle of Black Hills Estate Winery Brut across the ship’s bow and declared “I name you Protecteur. Blessed be this ship and all who will sail in it.” Teri was joined by the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy; and thousands of shipbuilders and members of the Royal Canadian Navy to celebrate this distinguished milestone.
The two Joint Support Ships, HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver, will replace the former Protecteur-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels. In addition to providing critical at-sea replenishment, these multi-purpose warships will also be capable of seamlessly integrating with any Canadian or allied naval task group, and will significantly extend the range and endurance of these groups through the provision of fuel, ammunition, aviation support, food, spare parts, exercise and gym facilities, and medical and dental care.
Work to prepare the HMCS Protecteur for sea trials will continue at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards. The ship is scheduled to be delivered to the RCN at the end of 2025.
Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Seaspan is building more than 20 large, complex vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard. Together, Seaspan and the Government of Canada are rebuilding the Canadian shipbuilding industry and providing stability to the industry for decades to come.
QUOTES
“With our investment in Joint Support Ships, Canadian workers are building the fleet of the future and equipping the Royal Canadian Navy with modern and versatile ships. Today’s naming of the HMCS Protecteur – the longest naval vessel ever constructed in Canada – is yet another stride in cutting-edge Canadian defence innovation. We’re creating more jobs, ramping up defence spending, and keeping our coastlines safe.”
- The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“The shipbuilders at Seaspan are second-to-none. For the thousands of Seaspan designers, engineers, shipbuilders and partners involved in the JSS program, today’s ceremony marks an unforgettable highlight in our ongoing journey under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. Today’s achievement gives us an immense feeling of pride, and I commend all the men and women who rose to the challenge of constructing a complex first-in-class vessel, the longest and heaviest in the Royal Canadian Navy’s fleet. We look forward to delivering all the vessels in this class, and providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need to protect Canadians, at home and abroad.”
- John McCarthy, CEO, Seaspan Shipyards
“Joint Support Ships provide the Royal Canadian Navy with the essential capability to support Naval Task Groups, and transport and deliver cargo. These built-in-Canada ships are an investment not only in defence, but also in Canadian industry, workers, and our economy. I thank those at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards who contributed to the construction of these ships and providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment needed to keep Canada strong and secure.”
- The Hon. Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
“Today’s launch and naming ceremony of the new HMCS Protecteur is an example of how the National Shipbuilding Strategy is revitalizing Canada’s shipbuilding industry all while creating good middle-class jobs and supporting the Royal Canadian Navy. This is the longest naval vessel constructed in the country and it is a testament to both the federal government’s and Seaspan’s commitment to shipbuilding. With the rise of conflicts and uncertainty around the world it is crucial that our Navy has the equipment they need to defend and protect Canada.”
- The Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant
“Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyard has grown to become the largest employer in North Vancouver, and today’s launch of the HMCS Protecteur is a testament to the key economic role it plays in this riding. I congratulate the hundreds of designers and shipbuilders responsible for bringing us to this tremendous milestone, which will support Canadian naval operations along Canada’s west coast and around the world. Your dedication and skill are a vital pillar for the North Shore community, and for the safety and economic prosperity of our country.”
- The Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resource
“Today is an exciting day for the Royal Canadian Navy as we move another step closer to delivering the future fleet our sailors need to protect Canada in all three of our oceans and support Canadian interests around the world. The Protecteur-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessel brings with it a history of naval service achieved by the previous Protecteur class, spanning more than 45 years, and ranging from the First Gulf War to humanitarian operations and multinational exercises in all oceans.”
- Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander Royal Canadian Navy
QUICK FACTS
- With a length of 173.7 metres, HMCS Protecteur is the longest naval vessel to ever be built in Canada. It will be joined by its counterpart, HMCS Preserver, in the coming years.
- HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver will replace the former Protecteur-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels. In addition to providing critical at-sea replenishment, these multi-purpose warships will also be capable of seamlessly integrating with any Canadian or allied naval task group, and will significantly extend the range and endurance of these groups through the provision of fuel, ammunition, aviation support, food, spare parts, exercise and gym facilities, and medical and dental care.
- Seaspan is one of the most modern shipyards in North America, following its privately funded $200M+ shipyard modernization, development of a skilled workforce and state-of-the-art, purpose-built infrastructure to deliver large, complex vessels.
- Under the NSS, Seaspan has become a major economic and job creation engine. According to an economic analysis conducted by Deloitte, Seaspan has contributed $5.7 billion to Canada’s GDP since 2012, while also creating or sustaining more than 7,000 jobs annually.
- Seaspan has invested more than $35 million to support education, learning, research, and skills development in the marine industry, with a special focus on reducing barriers for underrepresented groups, bringing a broad range of new talent into the industry and the trades, including more women and Indigenous people, and creating opportunities for youth through internships and apprenticeships.
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ABOUT SEASPAN
Seaspan is a leader in Canada’s ship design, engineering, building and ship repair industry. With modern facilities and a dedicated workforce of approximately 4,100 in North Vancouver and Victoria, the company has proven itself to be a trusted and strategic partner on a range of complex projects for both government and the private sector.
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