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Advanced Manufacturing › National Shipbuilding Strategy Watch
Canadian Trade Intelligence Inc. · Procurement Intelligence

National Shipbuilding Strategy Watch

Supply Chain Opportunities · Procurement Signals · Supplier Registration · NSS Programme Intelligence
2 primary shipyards 15 frigates + 6 AOPS under construction 30-year programme · $60B+ total value
What is the National Shipbuilding Strategy

The National Shipbuilding Strategy is the largest procurement programme in Canadian history — a $60-billion-plus commitment to rebuild Canada's federal fleet over 30 years. It is not a one-time contract. It is a sustained, multi-decade supply chain with construction phases currently active at both designated shipyards.

Canadian manufacturers in steel, electronics, mechanical systems, composites, precision machining, and logistics supply chains have direct access to this market. The supply chain is open now. Most of the opportunity is not yet captured by incumbent suppliers.

Primary Shipyard — Combat
Irving Shipbuilding · Halifax, NS
  • Arctic/Offshore Patrol Vessels (6 vessels — active construction)
  • Canadian Surface Combatants (15 frigates — in build)
  • Joint Support Ships (shared programme)
Primary Shipyard — Non-Combat
Seaspan Shipyards · Vancouver, BC
  • Joint Support Ships (Royal Canadian Navy)
  • Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel
  • CCGS fleet renewal — multiple vessels
  • Non-combat government vessels
$60B+
Total programme value
30 years
Programme duration
2 shipyards
Active construction sites
Active now
Supply chain status

Supply Chain Opportunity Categories
Marine-grade steel & aluminum
Hull plate, structural sections, deck plate, and marine-specification aluminum to DND procurement standards. Ongoing demand for both Irving and Seaspan programmes.
DND specification compliance; defence-grade quality certification required
Marine electronics & navigation systems
Radar, sonar, navigation, bridge systems, and integrated ship control. Combat vessel systems require additional security clearances.
ITAR awareness; DND contracting officer approval; Controlled Goods Program registration
Propulsion & mechanical systems
Diesel-electric propulsion components, shaft systems, rudder and steering gear, auxiliary machinery. High-value, long-lead items sourced early in vessel construction cycle.
Marine engineering certification; Transport Canada marine engineering standards
Composite materials & fabrication
Fibre-reinforced panels, lightweight superstructure components, acoustic insulation, and blast-attenuation composites for vessel interiors and above-waterline structure.
Aerospace/marine dual certification preferred; DND materials qualification process
Firefighting & safety systems
Fixed suppression systems, portable firefighting equipment, lifesaving appliances, damage control equipment. Regulated by Transport Canada marine standards for all federal vessels.
Transport Canada marine safety standards compliance
Communications & sensor systems
HF/UHF/satellite communications, EW sensors, electronic surveillance systems. Combat vessel systems subject to export control and classification requirements.
ITAR registration; NATO codification often required; Controlled Goods Program
Logistics & materials handling
Shipyard logistics, crane and lifting systems, materials tracking, packaging and kitting for marine components. Entry-level category — lower certification barrier than systems integration.
Standard PSPC supplier registration; CanadaBuys PBN
Precision machined components
Shaft couplings, flanges, bearings, valve bodies, and custom-machined components to tight tolerances. Strong fit for Ontario and Quebec precision manufacturing clusters.
ISO 9001 minimum; NADCAP for safety-critical parts; DND first-article inspection

How to Register as a National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) Supplier
  1. 01
    Register on CanadaBuys — get your Procurement Business Number (PBN)
    Your PBN is the entry credential for all federal procurement. Required before any NSS tender submission. Registration is free and takes 1–3 business days. canadabuys.canada.ca
  2. 02
    Register with the Canadian Commercial Corporation for defence G2G contracts
    CCC acts as the prime contractor for government-to-government defence exports. If your product or service may be used in allied-nation NSS-equivalent programmes, CCC registration opens additional market access. ccc.ca
  3. 03
    Assess ITAR compliance requirements
    If any components in your product contain US-origin technology, materials, or software, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) may apply. Non-compliance disqualifies suppliers from combat vessel contracts. Engage a trade compliance consultant before submitting to DND vessel programmes.
  4. 04
    Contact PSPC's Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) office
    ITB oversees the Value Proposition commitments attached to NSS contracts. ITB maintains a supplier matchmaking function connecting Canadian SMEs to prime contractors who have ITB obligations in your product category. tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/itb
  5. 05
    Join CME Defence for direct supply chain network access
    Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' defence division runs direct matchmaking between NSS prime contractors and qualified Canadian suppliers. This is the most direct route into existing supply chain networks at both Irving and Seaspan. cme-mec.ca/cme-defence
  6. 06
    Monitor NSS-specific procurement notices on CanadaBuys
    Filter active tenders by buyer (Department of National Defence, Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and keywords (vessel, ship, marine, NSS). Set up email alerts for your UNSPSC product codes to receive tender notifications automatically. canadabuys.canada.ca

Active Procurement Signals
Editorial note · updated weekly

National Shipbuilding Strategy procurement signals are tracked weekly in the Advanced Manufacturing Intelligence Brief. Irving Shipbuilding and Seaspan publish Requests for Proposals through PSPC's CanadaBuys portal. The supply chain categories above represent active or near-term procurement areas as of June 2026.


Key Contacts & Links
Irving Shipbuilding
Halifax — combat vessel supply chain
irvingshipbuilding.com/suppliers
Seaspan Shipyards
Vancouver — non-combat vessel supply chain
seaspan.com/shipbuilding/suppliers
PSPC — ITB Office
Industrial & Technological Benefits — supplier matchmaking
tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/itb
CME Defence
Direct defence supply chain network access for Canadian manufacturers
cme-mec.ca/cme-defence
CanadaBuys
Federal procurement portal — PBN registration and tender search
canadabuys.canada.ca
Advanced Manufacturing Hub
Full sector intelligence — weekly brief and corridor signals
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Defence Pivot Navigator
Interactive tool — personalized pathway into defence and NSS supply chains
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