Maritime expertise driving your projects
Naval construction has been a source of pride for over 300 years.
Since the 18th century, shipbuilding has been a key driver of development in the region. This activity reached its peak with the founding of Marine Industries in 1937. The Simard brothers’ company notably contributed to Canada’s war effort through the construction of naval vessels and equipment.
Activities continued until 1991, including the construction of icebreakers and vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard, which still operates a maintenance facility in the region today.
Today, this industrial legacy provides a concrete foundation for the region’s positioning within naval supply chains.
- 2700linear feet of quays, including 1,500 l. ft. with 6 m depth and 1,200 l. ft. with 3 m depth
- 15,000-ton ramp, 400 linear feet long
- 2private railroads connected to CN for a total of 2,665 linear feet
- 1Easy access to Autoroute 30 and the Richelieu River
- 2Msquare feet of industrial land available
Metallurgical expertise is at the core of the region’s positioning in the naval construction sector. Developed in parallel, these capabilities have shaped Sorel-Tracy’s industrial identity.
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A maritime ecosystem of experience
The 280 HMCS destroyer Iroquois commissioned on July 29, 1972, at Sorel.
The Abegweit ferry at the Sorel shipyards, built at the request of the federal Department of Transport.
The 280 HMCS destroyer Iroquois commissioned on July 28, 1972, at Sorel.
An aerial view of the Sorel-Tracy shipyards, between 1930 and 1950.
The hydrofoil HMCS Bras d'Or 400, built by Marine Industries Limited, was commissioned in 1968. At a certain speed, the wings of this boat lifted its hull out of the water. Propulsion was provided by a gas turbine driving twin propellers.
Aerial view of Marie Industries Limited's facilities in the 1940s.
A Marine Industries Limited worker salutes the 280 HMCS destroyer Iroquois, commissioned at Sorel on July 29, 1972.
Propeller repair at Marine Industries Limited, circa 1980.
The 5,000-ton ramp in the Ludger-Simard industrial park, in the 1980s.
An aerial view of Marine Industries Limited in the 1980s.
Construction of a ship in the Sylvain-Simard building, still in use in the Ludger-Simard industrial park.
Sorel-Tracy has 300 years of shipbuilding expertise. This heritage has given us infrastructures adapted to shipbuilding [...]. Sorel-Tracy has everything it takes to contribute to the National Shipbuilding Strategy and to become a partner of Chantier Davie Canada.Patrick Péloquin, Mayor of the City of Sorel-Tracy
News about our maritime shipyard
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