Canada helps 20 Atlantic ocean tech companies reach global shipbuilding markets
News release
Investment helps companies from across the region reach new buyers as Canada builds its shipbuilding industry at home
September 1, 2026 · Moncton, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Atlantic Canada’s ocean technology companies are developing advanced products and services for some of the world’s most demanding marine environments. As Canada’s new government makes major investments in its shipbuilding and marine industries at home, helping these businesses reach new customers abroad means more opportunities to grow, scale, and compete in a rapidly changing global market.
Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced an investment of nearly $250,000 under the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Agreement (ATIGA) to help 28 companies and organizations take part in an Atlantic Canadian trade mission to the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology (SMM) trade show in Hamburg, Germany.
SMM brings together companies, buyers, and decision-makers from around the world at a time of rapid change across the global shipping and ocean technology sectors. Digitalisation, energy efficiency, AI, autonomous systems, and maritime security are creating new demands and new opportunities for companies with innovative technologies and expertise.
The mission comes as Canada makes major investments in its domestic shipbuilding industry. Last week, Canada’s new government announced more than $11 billion to build six new Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers, creating opportunities for Canadian manufacturers, suppliers, and small and medium-sized businesses. The new ships will operate in Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence, and the Arctic.
At the Canada Pavilion, participants will showcase their technologies to international buyers and partners, build commercial relationships, and drive export sales. Coordinated promotion and targeted outreach before and during the show will help draw priority prospects to the Pavilion and connect participating firms and organizations with potential customers and partners.
By working with the Atlantic provinces, Canada’s new government is helping Atlantic Canadian companies take advantage of growing opportunities at home and abroad, diversify their markets, increase exports, and strengthen Canada’s marine supply chains.
Quotes
“In a changing world, Canada needs to build more here at home and sell more in new markets abroad. Last week, we announced more than $11 billion to build six new Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers and create opportunities across Canada’s marine supply chains. Atlantic Canadian companies have the technology and expertise to compete with the best in the world. Now, we’re helping 28 companies and organizations from across the region take their expertise to the world, meet new buyers, and bring more business back home.”
– The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agenc
“Our companies are providing world class solutions to the Defence, shipbuilding and maritime sectors. SMM provides an opportunity to showcase these solutions to international partners and further strengthen our ties with German partners who we will be working with much more closely to develop a strong and secure supply chain for our respective countries. We know that strong predictable supply chains ensure programs can be executed successfully and the partnerships made at events such as SMM are crucial to creating and maintaining these connections.”
– Chris Bourque, Executive Director, Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia
Quick facts
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SMM Hamburg, one of the world’s leading international events for shipping, shipbuilding and marine technology, takes place from September 1 to 4, 2026, in Hamburg, Germany, and is expected to bring together more than 2,200 exhibitors and approximately 45,000 attendees from around the world.
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The Canadian delegation will also be promoted in collaboration with the German Association for Marine Technology (GMT), an industry association representing marine technology companies and research institutions in Germany.
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The Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Agreement (ATIGA) is a federal-provincial agreement that supports collaborative international trade and investment initiatives designed to help Atlantic Canadian businesses expand exports, develop commercial relationships, and attract investment to the region.
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The Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia will lead this mission through an ATIGA investment of $241,675, including $169,172 from the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and $72,503 from the four Atlantic provincial governments.
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Contacts
Jeanne Joannie Fogue Mgamgne
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
joannie.fogue@justice.gc.ca
Media Relations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
mediaroom-salledesmedias@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Kathleen Hunter
Senior Advisor
Invest Nova Scotia
Government of Nova Scotia
Kathleen.Hunter@investnovascotia.ca
Karen Scott
Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
Opportunities NB
Government of New Brunswick
karen.scott@onbcanada.ca
Vicki Tse
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Trade
Government of Prince Edward Island
vickitse@gov.pe.ca
Allison King
Director of Communications
Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
allisonking@gov.nl.ca
Chris Bourque
Executive Director
Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia
chris@otcns.ca