A commentary.
As a naval architect with over 40 years of international experience in the international shipbuilding sector — and as a Canadian taxpayer — I believe 小蓝视频 Ferries made the right decision in sourcing new vessels abroad.
The outrage in some quarters of the Canadian shipbuilding industry is not only misplaced but risks obscuring a much-needed conversation about value, capability, and credibility in this sector.
For decades, Canada’s shipbuilding capacity has languished. Only recently — through massive injections of taxpayer funds — have we begun to revive it.
While this is a worthwhile national objective, we must be realistic about where we stand. The Canadian shipbuilding sector is still climbing the learning curve.
It lacks the production scale, industrial maturity, and specialized expertise that characterize leading shipbuilding nations.
Public agencies like 小蓝视频 Ferries have a duty to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective services. Choosing experienced international yards to meet these objectives isn’t an act of disloyalty — it’s an act of fiscal and operational responsibility. For the price of one domestically built vessel, they may secure two ships from foreign yards that meet or exceed technical specifications and delivery timelines.
That’s not outsourcing; that’s stewardship.
The icebreaker debate further illustrates the misplaced confidence of certain voices in the industry. Some argue that Canadian yards should pursue contracts for the U.S. polar icebreaker program — an ambitious plan to build 40 vessels.
Yet even our most prominent players, like Seaspan, are still at the experimental stage — constructing a midship section of a single vessel to gain technical familiarity.
In contrast, Finland has built 60% of the world’s icebreakers, with decades of unmatched polar-class engineering and operational know-how. Competing with such established players requires more than aspiration — it demands capability.
There is a place for Canada in global shipbuilding. But we must earn it.
This means focusing on niche areas, investing in workforce development, and delivering on schedule and budget — consistently.
National pride is not a substitute for industrial readiness. We cannot demand loyalty from buyers while offering learning exercises in return.
小蓝视频 Ferries acted in the interest of the public. Let’s applaud pragmatism over posturing — and focus on building a Canadian shipbuilding sector that competes not because it’s protected, but because it’s world-class.
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