A firm based on Teesside has secured an important contract to help the Canadian Coast Guard build one of the world's most powerful icebreaking ships.

Barrier Architectural Services from Stockton formed Barrier Marine Services (Canada) in 2020 to service projects in the country and serve the long term Canadian National Shipbuilding Strategy.

The company has now partnered with Knud E. Hansen to design the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Polar Icebreaker to be built at Seaspan’s Vancouver shipyard.

Knud E. Hansen will provide the design and engineering package for the HVAC system through the functional and production design phases of the project and continue to provide support through procurement and construction.

Barrier Marine Services (Canada) will supply and install the HVAC system based on the design by Knud E. Hansen.

Tony Scott, Commercial Director at Barrier Architectural Services said: “It’s exciting to see the Barrier brand continuing to work on a global scale, and be part of such a high-profile project.

"We have been working in Canada for three years, so to be awarded another contract here is testament to the work that the team is doing and we’re looking forward to continuing to represent the North East across the world.”

As part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Seaspan is the prime contractor responsible for the design and construction of the Polar Icebreaker.

The vessel will be 158 meters long and 28 meters wide and accommodates up to 100 personnel.

The Northern Echo: Peter Wunder and Tony Scott of BarrierPeter Wunder and Tony Scott of Barrier (Image: Press release)

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It will be able to operate in higher latitudes, in more difficult ice conditions and for longer periods than any existing Canadian icebreaker and will be one of the world’s most powerful conventional icebreakers with a critical mission of protecting Canada’s Arctic sovereignty along with supporting Arctic science and research, environmental response, northern resupply, and search and rescue.

Knud E. Hansen and Barrier have now formed a dedicated project team to support Seaspan and the Canadian Coast Guard.