CCGS John G Diefenbaker icebreaker

CCGS John G Diefenbaker is the first in a two-ship series of Canadian Arctic icebreakers of the new "Polar Class 2" developed on Vard Marine's "VARD 9-206" design. "CCGS" stands for "Canadian Coast Guard Ship". When completed (currently on order, planned for commissioning in December 2029), the John Diefenbaker icebreaker will be CCG's flagship vessel, replacing the current flagship CCGS Louis S St-Laurent (1969-built), which is now Canada's largest icebreaker, with GT 11345 tons, powerplant 29,4 MW, propulsion power 20,1 MW, range 26700 mi (43000 km), endurance 205 days.

CCGS Louis S St-Laurent is currently scheduled for decommissioning in 2030, CCGS Terry Fox - in 2032.

The new Canadian icebreakers will serve various Arctic missions in multi-year/heavy ice conditions, including maintaining Canada's sovereignty and presence in the Arctic Ocean, national security, research (science, weather- and ice monitoring), ship escort/safety (emergency response, search and rescue, commercial shipping assistance), local communities (resupply and logistics support), environmental/ecological (fisheries conservation, marine ecosystems protection, environmental response).

The Canadian Coast Guard is responsible for patrolling and protecting the world's longest national coastline (150000+ mi / 243000+ km), of which ~70% is Arctic. With a total of 18 icebreakers (as of 2022), the Canadian Coast Guard currently operates the world's second-largest icebreaking fleet - following only Russia with 40+ active vessels (including 27 ocean icebreakers) plus 11 newbuilds (on order or under construction, including nuclear-powered). It was estimated that the "Polar Class 2" ships' construction will generate ~700 new jobs (~350 at each shipyard) plus between ~1400-2500 nationwide jobs across Canada's marine industry (manufacturing, supply, logistics, etc), in addition to CAD 17,49 billion in contracts (already awarded to Canadian shipbuilders under the NSS) for new ships for the Canadian Navy and Coast Guard.

The "VARD 9 206" project is a "Polar Icebreaker" designed by the Fincantieri Group-owned company Vard Marine Inc (1983-founded, with parent company Vard Group AS, and being a subsidiary of Vard Marine US Inc). The company specializes in naval architecture and marine engineering, developing designs for various types of vessels from the following series: VARD 1 (Platform Supply), VARD 2 (Anchor Handling Tug Supply), VARD 3 (Offshore Subsea Construction), VARD 4 (Renewable), VARD 6 (Ferries), VARD 7 (Naval and Security), VARD 9 (Specialized, including Icebreakers, Polar Research SHips, and Floating Powerplants), as well as CSS DESIGNS (Compact Semi Submersibles). VARD 9 series include ice-strengthened vessels specializing in polar research and offshore support and patrol, as well as ferries (RoPax/cargo and passengers and RoRo/Roll-on/Roll-off, like car carriers) and cruise ships. Among the Vard Marine-designed icebreakers are USCGC Healy (2000-built, Project WAGB-20) and USCGC Mackinaw (2006-built, Project WLBB-30).

Each of the two sisterships (John Diefenbaker and TBN) will be constructed by a different shipbuilder. The decision was announced in May 2021, when the Canadian government announced that for these projects will contract the companies Seaspan Shipyards (Vancouver, British Columbia, part of Seaspan ULC) and Davie Yards Inc (Quebec, fka Davie Shipbuilding).

The budget for the expanded "Polar Class 2 Icebreaker" program was revised and increased thrice - in 2008 (CAD 721 million for one unit), in 2013 (CAD 1,3 billion for one unit), and in 2021 (CAD 7,25 billion for two units/or CAD 3,625 billion per ship, or USD 2,89B / EUR 2,45B / GBP 2,1B). The first unit (John Diefenbaker) was originally planned to enter service in 2017.

John Diefenbaker Vessel details

The ship is named after John George Diefenbaker (1895-1979) - Canada's 13th Prime Minister (in office between June 1957 - April 1963).

• Displacement tonnage: 26000 tonnes
• LOA length: 158 m (518 ft)
• Beam/width: 28 m (92 ft)
• Max draft: 10,5 m (34 ft)
• Max depth: 13,5 m (44 ft)
• Hull Classification/Ice Class: PC2 / "Polar Class 2 Icebreaker"
• Icebreaking capability: 2,5 m (8,2 ft) at speed 3 knots
• Max speed: 20 knots (37 kph / 23 mph) in clear water/open sea
• Service speed: 12 knots (22 kph / 14 mph) in "Douglas Sea State 3" sea condition (waves of max 1,3 m / 4 ft)
• Max ice speed: 3 knots (5,6 kph / 3,5 mph) in max ice thickness 2,5 m
• Range: 28600 nautical miles (53000 km / 32900 mi)
• Endurance/autonomous navigation: 270 days (logistical), 25 days (at full power/without bunkering)
• Crew capacity: 60 (core), 40 (additionally assigned personnel/depending on missions)
• Passengers capacity: 25 (accommodated in separate/dedicated staterooms)
• Carried aircraft: two medium-lift support helicopters
• Aviation facilities: Helideck (helipad with a capability to receive larger helicopters/for refueling), Helicopter Hangar

The powerplant is diesel-electric, based on 5x main engines (diesel generators positioned in 2x engine rooms/2x 9 MW plus 3x 8 MW), with combined power output 42 MW.

The hybrid propulsion system is based on 2x wing shaft lines (each 11 MW) driving aft FPPs (fixed pitch propellers) plus 1x azimuthing bow thruster (12 MW), or combined power output 34 MW.

Shipboard facilities include modular mission spaces, laboratories, a scientific moon pool, cargo hold and garage, several cranes (with different lifting capacities). The moon pool (aka "wet porch") is a floor opening in the hull that gives direct access to the water below and allows the crew to deploy underwater instruments (including ROVs and AUVs) and divers.

Note: For information regarding the project's history and shipbuilders see the ship's Wiki page.