In a time of economic uncertainty and job market ups and downs, Seaspan Shipyards in North Vancouver stands apart—offering long-term, secure employment that extends well into the 2030s and beyond. With hundreds of hires planned and some of the most ambitious shipbuilding projects in Canada’s history underway, this is a chance to build more than just ships—you can build a future.
A career close to home—without compromise
Your daughter’s first step, your son’s first goal, or your 10th wedding anniversary, these are the cornerstone memories in life, priceless and irreplaceable. Being stuck in a barren, bitterly cold work camp instead of celebrating those moments in person should be a nonstarter. At Seaspan, it is.
Working at North Vancouver’s Seaspan Shipyards means a career free from lengthy fly-in, fly-out jobs or extended projects away from home, allowing you to be there for life's most important moments.
And with up to 500 tradespeople needed at its North Vancouver shipyard, there’s never been a better time to make the move.
“Working here provides the opportunity for someone to build their entire career in one place, while working on projects of national significance,” explains Director of Workforce Development at Seaspan Shipyards, Dan Southern. “Not having to leave for a camp job and working close to home is one of the biggest perks of working at Seaspan.”
Opportunities at Seaspan
Seaspan is hiring certified Red Seal tradespeople—including welders, industrial sprayers, steel fabricators, pipefitters, electricians and more.
These are career tracks that combine decades-long stability with the excitement of working on cutting-edge national projects—all while prioritizing health, safety and advancement. Many Seaspan employees have spent their entire careers with the company and many in leadership today started on the shop floor.
“Seaspan is proud to be named as one of BC’s Top Employers for 2025 and our initiatives related to training and leadership development are one of the reasons why we were selected,” Southern says.
Ships that define Canadian history
The work underway at Seaspan Shipyards in North Vancouver, British Columbia, is about more than just building ships — it’s about shaping the future of Canada’s naval and Coast Guard capabilities.
Currently, Seaspan is constructing the Joint Support Ships (JSS) for the Royal Canadian Navy, including HMCS Protecteur, which at 174 metres, is the longest naval ship ever built in Canada. HMCS Protecteur will soon be joined by her sister ship, HMCS Preserver (also currently under construction at Seaspan), enhancing the Navy’s ability to conduct global operations. These ships will provide critical at-sea replenishment, logistics support and command capabilities, significantly strengthening Canada’s maritime readiness.
At the same time, Seaspan has begun work on a historic project for the Canadian Coast Guard: the construction of the first heavy polar icebreaker built in Canada in over 60 years. This icebreaker will be the most capable vessel in the Coast Guard’s fleet and is designed for year-round operations in the high Arctic.It will be able to operate farther north, in harsher ice conditions and for longer durations than any Canadian icebreaker to date.
This state-of-the-art vessel will not only enhance Canada’s Arctic sovereignty but will also support Indigenous and northern communities and play a vital role in advancing climate change research in one of the world’s most environmentally sensitive regions.
Safety, innovation and pride in every weld
“With shipbuilding, no two days are the same and at Seaspan, that is particularly true,” Southern explains. “We are still in the process of rebuilding the shipbuilding industry itself in Canada – the entire industry is learning and growing alongside us.”
“Employee safety is a core value of Seaspan and is at the heart of everything that we do – it is our number one priority,” Southern says.
Central to all Seaspan work is a company-wide commitment to health and safety. The company continues to invest in the latest technology – like best-in-class respirators known as Powered Air Purifying Respirators for welders – to ensure the safety of employees today and well into the future.
Join the team building ships that shape Canada’s future—while securing your own. With hundreds of careers ready to launch, yours could be next. Apply today at Seaspan.com.
