The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk officially joins the Canadian Coast Guard fleet
Press Release
May 12, 2026 – Dartmouth, Nova Scotia – National Defence / Canadian Coast Guard
Today, the Canadian Coast Guard officially welcomed Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Naalak Nappaaluk to its fleet at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The Honourable Lena Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, alongside vessel sponsor Qiallak Nappaaluk, the crew and community members, participated in the traditional breaking of a ceremonial bottle upon the ship’s bow.
Built in Canada at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards, the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk becomes the largest science vessel in the Government of Canada’s fleet and will support science missions on Canada’s Atlantic coast. This vessel will allow the Canadian Coast Guard to support scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada with safe, modern, and Canadian-made equipment. With the Atlantic Ocean home to some of the richest marine ecosystems in the world, Canada’s ability to study and manage these waters is more important than ever.
The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, an Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel, will support important ocean research, conduct critical missions, and improve Canada’s understanding of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The data and samples collected onboard this vessel will advance Canada’s domestic and international commitments to advance the sustainable management of our oceans.
This vessel was built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the Government of Canada’s commitment to renew its federal fleets while revitalizing Canada’s marine industry and creating middle-class jobs and maximizing economic benefits across the country.
Quotes
“I am pleased to welcome the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk into service. This science ship stands as a testament to Canadian innovation, skilled shipbuilders, and the National Shipbuilding Strategy’s long-term vision. We are investing in both the future of ocean research and the resilience of coastal communities that depend on healthy seas.”
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
“Nova Scotia, and Atlantic Canada more broadly, is not a region waiting for opportunity; we create it. Dartmouth is already a hub for ocean technology, defence innovation, advanced research, and the talent that powers those sectors. As someone who has spent my career working to connect people to opportunity, I know that the greatest investments we can make, are in regions that have the drive, the ingenuity, and the infrastructure to deliver results. Atlantic Canada is one of those regions."
The Honourable Lena Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“Inuit are the original scientists in Inuit Nunangat, our Arctic homeland, and Naalak Nappaaluk was one of them. Not only did he possess life-saving knowledge about the land, the sea, the weather and the night sky, he was committed to ensuring that knowledge was preserved for future generations. The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, and the researchers connected to her, will continue this tradition at a time when Inuit Nunangat is rapidly changing. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Canadian Coast Guard so that Inuit, and all Canadians, can better understand these changes.”
Natan Obed, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
“The delivery of the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk is exactly what the National Shipbuilding Strategy was designed to do. It means real work for Canadian shipbuilders, engineers, and suppliers from coast to coast. It means high-quality jobs today, and a stronger industrial base for tomorrow. And it means Canada has the modern science and ocean capability we need to better understand, protect, and manage our waters. This is how we build long-term value: by investing in Canadian expertise, supporting good jobs here at home, and making sure public investments deliver lasting benefits for Canadians.”
The Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant
“In a changing ocean environment, Canada is empowered by advanced technology and the expertise needed to monitor, understand, and respond to ocean challenges. The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk will enable critical research and science in the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, strengthening our leadership in marine science for decades to come. This is an investment in healthier oceans and the communities that depend on them.”
The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries
“The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk will support essential Atlantic research to strengthen our understanding of Canada’s offshore geology, resources, and marine environment. Natural Resources Canada looks forward to testing and deploying scientific equipment onboard and actively using this vessel to deliver key marine science programs that advance Canada’s commitments to sustainable ocean management at home and abroad.”
The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“Here in Sackville—Bedford—Preston, we are proud to be home to world-class ocean research at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography and to the dedicated Canadian Coast Guard personnel who serve Canadians every day. The arrival of the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk right here in our community strengthens that legacy and highlights the vital role our region plays in advancing marine science and protecting our oceans for future generations.”
Braedon Clark, Member of Parliament for Sackville—Bedford—Preston
“The dedication of the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk marks a historic milestone for the Canadian Coast Guard. As our largest and most advanced science vessel, built right here in Canada, this ship will significantly strengthen our ability to understand and respond to changes in the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, support critical research, and carry out essential missions such as search and rescue. Named in the spirit of reconciliation, the Naalak Nappaaluk reflects our respect for Inuit knowledge and our shared commitment to protecting Canada’s oceans for generations to come.”
Kevin Brosseau, Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard
Quick facts
The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk will support the Government of Canada’s oceanographic science research for the next 30 years and beyond, as the Canadian Coast Guard’s primary east coast ocean science research vessel. It can accommodate up to 34 crew and 26 scientists and will be stationed at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk features a large working deck capable of carrying a range of modular payloads to support its science missions, a large ocean sampling room, multiple laboratories, and cutting-edge technology to study and monitor ocean ecosystems. The vessel is equipped to support search and rescue missions and environmental response efforts, when needed.
The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk is named after Nunavik elder Naalak Nappaaluk (1928-2010) who was known for his vast knowledge of animals, weather patterns, the sea and even the night sky. Nappaaluk was a skilled and respected community builder and harvester devoted to preserving and passing on the Inuit language, culture and knowledge of the natural world was preserved and passed on to future generations.
As of March 2026, the Government of Canada has awarded more than $53 billion in NSS contracts across the country. NSS contracts awarded between 2012 and 2025 are estimated to contribute close to $49.8 billion ($3.3 billion annually) to Canada’s gross domestic product, and create or maintain more than 25,000 jobs annually.
In addition to these significant economic benefits, the NSS has also generated substantial supplier development opportunities for Canadian companies. More than $13.6 billion in development opportunities have been provided by NSS shipyards to Canadian suppliers, including more than $3 billion to small and medium-sized enterprises.
It may not be as exciting as a warship for some of us, but it looks like a really sweet vessel that should provide lots of scientific data for years to come. Cudoos to everyone involved.
The ship’s name Naalak Nappaaluk is appropriate given his Inuit background and expertise on Arctic matters taught by a life of experience and not acquired in the classroom.