NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Canadian Coast Guard’s latest oceanographic science vessel, the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, embarked on its first sea trials this week from Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards, signalling a critical phase in Canada’s efforts to modernise its maritime science and Coast Guard capabilities.
Launched in August 2024, the ship has since undergone extensive outfitting, installation, and system commissioning at the North Vancouver facility. Now entering sea trials, the vessel will be tested extensively on the West Coast by engineers, Coast Guard officials, and industry specialists to ensure every system performs to specification before its anticipated delivery later this summer.
A New Era for Canadian Ocean Science
The Naalak Nappaaluk is designed as a Polar Class 6 vessel, enabling it to operate safely in moderate Arctic ice conditions. At 88 metres long, 17.6 metres wide, and with a displacement of 5,058 tonnes, the ship can carry up to 60 personnel, including crew and scientific staff.
When delivered, the vessel will become Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s principal platform for oceanographic science. It will support a range of missions, from habitat monitoring and seabed surveys to climate science and ocean current research. But its versatility also allows it to aid the Canadian Coast Guard in critical operations such as search and rescue, making it a dual-purpose asset for science and safety.
The ship’s scientific capabilities are backed by a suite of sophisticated systems that will now undergo rigors real-world testing. These include mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, scientific, communications, and navigation systems, alongside vital fire and safety equipment.
Sea trials will confirm the vessel’s seaworthiness and performance under operational conditions. Over the coming weeks, specialists from Seaspan, the Canadian Coast Guard, and major equipment suppliers will monitor every function and system to ensure the ship is fully mission-ready.
From West Coast Launch to East Coast Operations
Once sea trials are complete and the ship is officially delivered, the Naalak Nappaaluk will journey across the country to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it will be permanently stationed at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada’s leading federal marine research facility.
This transition from the shipyard to deployment marks the culmination of years of design and engineering under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, a multi-billion-dollar programme aimed at renewing the federal fleet with modern, multi-role vessels.
Another Milestone for Seaspan and the National Shipbuilding Strategy
The launch of the Naalak Nappaaluk adds to a string of recent milestones for Seaspan Shipyards, one of the key partners in Canada’s shipbuilding initiative. Over the past six months alone, the company has celebrated the launch of HMCS Protecteur, a Joint Support Ship for the Royal Canadian Navy, and initiated construction of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new heavy Polar Icebreaker, a vessel intended for year-round Arctic service.
These achievements underscore the growing capacity of Canadian shipyards to deliver world-class vessels across both military and scientific domains.
The Naalak Nappaaluk, named in Inuktitut in recognition of Canada’s northern heritage, embodies this commitment to both innovation and inclusivity. Its multi-mission design ensures that it will contribute not just to science, but also to community resilience and national sovereignty, particularly in the increasingly strategic Arctic regions.
Strengthening Canada’s Ocean Research Infrastructure
As climate change, biodiversity loss, and marine safety continue to pose complex challenges, the Naalak Nappaaluk arrives at a crucial time. By providing cutting-edge tools for monitoring and responding to Canada’s evolving ocean landscape, it will play a vital role in informing public policy and protecting marine ecosystems.
With sea trials now underway, Canadian officials are one step closer to adding this state-of-the-art vessel to their fleet. Once in full operation, the Naalak Nappaaluk will stand as a cornerstone of Canada’s scientific and maritime future, designed, built, and tested on home soil.
