Robotics Below Deck: Seaspan Taps Alberta Innovation to Transform Blast and Paint Operations
On Canada’s West Coast, inside the cavernous facilities of Seaspan Shipyards , a new generation of shipbuilding technology is taking shape — one that reaches beyond steel and welds into the realm of advanced robotics, sustainability, and workplace safety. On February 12, 2026, Seaspan announced it has awarded a contract to Alberta-based Confined Space Robotics (CSR) to develop and integrate semi-autonomous robotic systems designed to enhance blast and paint operations across its shipbuilding and submarine programs. At first glance, blast and paint work may not capture headlines the way new vessel launches do. Yet these operations are fundamental to both new ship construction and complex submarine repair and overhaul projects. They ensure structural integrity, corrosion resistance, and long-term durability — and they often take place in some of the most demanding environments inside a shipyard. Now, Seaspan is investing $1.5 million to bring Canadian-built robotics directly into tho...