PipeCloud Powers Production Efficiency at Seaspan
Seaspan has partnered with PipeCloud to bring modern automation and production control to its pipe spool fabrication operations. By integrating PipeCloud’s advanced Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Seaspan is making a significant leap forward in its digital transformation — streamlining workflows, eliminating paper-based processes, and scaling production to support one of Canada’s most ambitious shipbuilding programs. You can also read the story about our partnership with Seaspan on their website.
Supporting Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy
The PipeCloud system is now operational at Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyards, where it plays a key role in fabricating pipe spools for vessels under construction at Vancouver Shipyards. These projects, part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), are central to renewing the federal fleet and creating long-term economic value across the country.
Victoria’s pipe spool fabrication facility has been supplying Vancouver Shipyards for years. With the introduction of PipeCloud, production capacity is scaling significantly, from an average of 4,500 spools per year to a targeted 9,500–10,000 spools annually. This increase is essential as Seaspan prepares to construct the new heavy Polar Icebreaker for the Canadian Coast Guard, which alone will require more than 30,000 pipe spools.
Digitizing Fabrication from Design to Delivery
PipeCloud replaces fragmented, paper-based workflows with a digital, end-to-end production system. Workstations on the shop floor are now connected directly to PipeCloud, enabling teams to access drawings and work packages digitally, track progress in real time, and receive engineering or planning assistance without workflow disruptions.
By digitizing key pre-production and fabrication processes, Seaspan has improved visibility, traceability, and control across the production lifecycle. These changes are already delivering measurable benefits:
- Increased production throughput through automation and streamlined work release,
- Reduced manual coordination and paperwork across teams,
- Real-time feedback and tracking, enabling faster decision-making,
- A more agile production environment, ready to scale with growing project demands.
A Shared Vision for Innovation in Shipbuilding
“To support Seaspan’s construction of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new heavy Polar Icebreaker, the first to be built in Canada in 60 years, there was a need to expand Seaspan’s capacity for pipe spool fabrication. By integrating PipeCloud’s technology within our current preproduction process, we believe we will achieve significant improvements in production efficiency and precision, supporting the construction of the Polar Icebreaker as well as offering huge advantages in the construction of other Federal and commercial partners, as well as other markets. We look forward to working with PipeCloud as we continue to build ships for Canada.”
— Jari Anttila, Chief Operating Officer, Seaspan Shipyards
The PipeCloud team worked closely with Seaspan engineers, planners, and operators to ensure a smooth and practical implementation. Our platform’s flexibility allowed it to be configured to Seaspan’s workflows, while enabling long-term scalability for future shipbuilding programs.
Raising the Bar for Marine Manufacturing
At PipeCloud, we’re proud to support Seaspan’s leadership in Canadian shipbuilding. This partnership highlights the impact that modern MES platforms can have on heavy manufacturing environments — driving performance, quality, and innovation at scale.
As global focus turns toward the Arctic and the critical infrastructure needed to operate there, the Seaspan-PipeCloud collaboration demonstrates how digital tools can help shipbuilders meet tomorrow’s challenges — starting today.
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