A Chester marine manufacturer has landed a contract worth more than $15 million to supply equipment for a new Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker.
Hawboldt Industries will provide science and handling equipment for the Polar Max, which is being built by Davie.
The work will include engineering, manufacturing, project management and testing in Nova Scotia.
General Manager Dylan Wells says it is a major contract for the company, which currently employs about 95 people.
“For us, it’s a significant contract. It’s a big contract for us,” Wells said.
He says the project will provide several years of work and added stability while Hawboldt continues with other contracts.
“It gives us quite a bit of backlog stability — confidence in the future, especially in some of these uncertain times,” Wells said.
The company is continuing to hire as it takes on the work, though Wells says the contract alone will not require a major increase in staffing.
Hawboldt is also planning to expand its Chester operation in the coming years. The company currently has about 50,000 square feet of space and is looking at adding another 30,000 to 40,000 square feet, along with larger cranes, more assembly space and additional equipment.
Contract could lead to more work
The Polar Max project could also help position Hawboldt for future Canadian shipbuilding contracts.
Wells says the company has previously supplied Davie with equipment for refit projects, but this is its first involvement in one of the shipbuilder’s new builds.
“To be involved in their new build projects definitely opens the door for the next program they’re doing with six icebreakers for Canada,” Wells said.
Hawboldt could potentially compete to provide cranes, anchor and mooring equipment, control systems and other specialized lifting equipment for those vessels.
Wells says delivering the Polar Max work on time and to a high standard will be important in building that relationship.
“I think our execution on this project, delivering on time, high-quality equipment, building trust and confidence with them should lead to more work in the future,” he said.
Hawboldt expects to complete its portion of the Polar Max project by the end of 2027.
The icebreaker is expected to be delivered in 2030 and will support Arctic research, icebreaking, emergency response and the resupply of northern communities.
