The Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Calgary has completed its full docking work period (DWP) at Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyard.
The extensive refit on the ship was executed as part of the shipyard’s Halifax-class work period (HCWP) contract to maintain and modernise Canada’s West Coast-based Halifax-class frigates.
According to Seaspan, HMCS Calgary underwent a series of engineering enhancements, equipment installations, routine and corrective maintenance, and essential dry-docking tasks.
The efforts align with the Royal Canadian Navy’s objective to maintain its frigates’ operational readiness and relevance until the end of their service life.
The vessel docked at Victoria Shipyards on 9 January 2023, after a six-month phase dedicated to project planning.
Over the ensuing 28 months, the project saw contributions from more than 1,000 trades personnel and office staff contributed to the project, culminating in the successful completion of this complex refit, Seaspan said.
Seaspan Victoria Shipyards vice president and general manager Tony Winter said: “This DWP is a significant milestone for the entire Victoria Shipyards team, and underscores our commitment to quality, customer service, and to the Royal Canadian Navy.
“As the leading ship repair and modernisation facility on Canada’s West Coast, we look forward to continuing to work alongside our Royal Canadian Navy partners, ensuring they have the ships they need to protect Canada’s sovereignty in the Pacific Ocean, now and into the future.”
Following its overhaul, HMCS Calgary was handed over to the Royal Canadian Navy’s fleet maintenance facility in Victoria, British Columbia.
The facility’s staff will reactivate the vessel’s systems, preparing it for future deployment. HMCS Calgary was commissioned on 12 May 1995 in Esquimalt, British Columbia.
Operations at Seaspan Victoria Shipyards are carried out within the Esquimalt Graving Dock, which is owned by the federal government.
On 19 May 2023, Seaspan completed the delivery of HMCS Regina to the navy. This marked the first full DWP under the HCWP contract.
The next West Coast Halifax-class frigate scheduled for a DWP is HMCS Winnipeg. The ship arrived at the shipyard in late 2024.
The Navy operates a fleet of 12 domestically constructed Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates. Of these, five are stationed on the West Coast and seven on the East Coast. These vessels were originally designed with capabilities to engage in anti-submarine warfare, combat surface ships, and address aerial threats in open ocean environments.
In May 2025, the Royal Canadian Navy selected Rolls-Royce to supply components for the River-class destroyers, part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Rolls-Royce will provide the MT30 gas turbine for primary propulsion, the Mission Bay Handling System, and the mtu Series 4000 diesel generators for each vessel.
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