Hamilton Positioned for Growth with New Shipbuilding Partnership

HWAD Office Team
Feb 20
2 min read

Updated: Mar 2

Hamilton, ON — A new industrial partnership involving Ontario Shipyards and global shipbuilding leader Hanwha Ocean is strong evidence that Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy is delivering for communities and workers in Hamilton.

This collaboration leverages Hamilton’s manufacturing strengths, local expertise, and steel-making tradition to grow shipbuilding capability in Ontario. It’s an important step toward building long-term, well-paid jobs and strengthening Canadian sovereign capability in advanced marine engineering and naval support.

This progress also builds on the Province of Ontario’s $200 million commitment to Ontario Shipyards for construction of the Vigilance-class naval training vessel. That investment strengthens the foundation for large-scale shipbuilding in Hamilton and reinforces confidence in the region’s long-term industrial capacity.

Creating Local Opportunities in Skilled Trades

This announcement is a commitment to expanding workforce development here in Hamilton. Plans to collaborate with Mohawk College on shipbuilding-related training programs will help give young people and tradespeople the skills they need for careers in welding, metal fabrication, structural assembly, and other in-demand trades.

This initiative aligns with the government’s aim to invest in Canadian workers and supply chains, ensuring that tomorrow’s shipbuilding workforce is trained locally alongside global partners.

Hamilton — Canada’s Industrial Heart

Hamilton and St. Catharines have deep industrial roots and a long history of contributing to Canada’s manufacturing base. Today’s shipbuilding opportunity builds on that legacy and repositions the region for future growth in advanced industrial work.

Partnering with Hanwha Ocean, a company with a global reputation for ship design and construction, brings international experience to complement Ontario Shipyards’ existing capabilities. This combination makes Hamilton an attractive hub for future marine and defence work, including potential sustainment and construction contracts tied to national fleet requirements.

Delivering Results for Families and Communities

For Hamilton families, this is more than an economic announcement — it’s a sign of tangible, long-term job prospects in high-skill fields. It reflects a strategic approach to economic development that supports local workers, builds Canadian industrial capacity, and strengthens our community’s role in national priorities.

Hamilton is well positioned to be a centre of shipbuilding excellence in Canada, combining our heritage of skilled labour and industrial innovation with new global partnerships and training pathways that benefit workers today and into the future.