By David Wiwchar

start of new ship repair industry

CCGS Laurier in port for refit

Mar 11, 2026 | 9:13 AM

The largest Canadian Coast Guard ship on the west coast will be tied up in Port Alberni for a couple of months.

The 83-metre icebreaker Sir Wilfred Laurier in undergoing a refit by Canadian Maritime Engineering at the Port Authority berth.

CME Project Manager Andy Phillips said Port Alberni’s deep water harbour is a great place to begin building a ship repair, refit and possibly recycling hub for the west coast.

“Yeah, it’s definitely a step in the right direction,” he said. “Ship disposal a little ways away as there’s a lot of red tape that needs to be figured out for that but definitely a step in the right direction.”

He said once the industry sees the benefits of Port Alberni, future work could include navy ships, and other large vessels.

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