TKMS signs agreement with Seaspan on submarine sustainment

Prime Minister Mark Carney climbs out of a 212A class submarine under maintenance as he tours ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), a submarine building facility in Kiel, Germany, on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

OTTAWA — German submarine manufacturer TKMS has signed an agreement to team up with Seaspan Shipyards to support and maintain potential future patrol submarines supplied to Canada over the long term.

The pact is conditional on TKMS winning a federal government contract to supply the Royal Canadian Navy with a fleet of new submarines.

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Seaspan is involved with maintaining Canada’s current fleet of four Victoria class submarines, which the federal government needs to replace within the next 10 years.

A news release says the teaming agreement also opens up the potential for future “export support,” which could mean servicing or building vessels for other countries on the West Coast, or helping businesses enter other markets.

Both of the finalist bidders — TKMS and South Korean firm Hanwha Oceans — have signed a flurry of agreements with Canadian companies as the competition heats up for a lucrative, multi-billion dollar contract to supply Canada with up to 12 new submarines.

Hanwha announced on Monday it signed a string of partnership agreements with Canadian companies, including Sault Ste. Marie’s Algoma Steel and a number of Canadian space satellite companies.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2026.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press