Glamox’s MARL International teams with Apex Industries to light three new Royal Canadian Navy destroyers

MARL International, part of Glamox, has announced that it is partnering with Canadian firm Apex Industries, which will manufacture its marine lighting systems under licence in Canada for three destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

Apex Industries was awarded the lighting systems contract by Irving Shipbuilding, which will build the vessels at its shipyard in Halifax, Nova Scotia, while Lockheed Martin Canada will provide the defence equipment. The vessels are part of the River Class Destroyer programme. The lighting contract covers the first three ships, with options for a further three. The RCN plans a total of 15 vessels designated ‘River Class,’ as they are named after Canadian rivers.

The interior and exterior of each warship will be fitted with energy-efficient LED marine lights, including emergency lighting, along with light management systems for their operation. An initial total of around 9,000 lights will be supplied.

MARL International, which was acquired by Glamox in August 2024, is subcontracted to Apex as the lighting design authority. MARL will transfer licensing rights to Apex to manufacture and assemble the marine lighting at Apex’s production facility in Moncton, New Brunswick.

“We are delighted to partner with Glamox’s MARL International and value its commitment to transfer its technology to Canada,” said Keith Parlee, CEO of Apex Industries. “The partnership not only enables the growth of our Moncton workforce but positions Apex to strengthen our offerings to a wider Canadian supply chain.”

The first three River-class vessels are named HMCS Fraser, HMCS Saint-Laurent, and HMCS Mackenzie. They are based on the ‘Global Combat Ship’ design used by the UK Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates and the Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter-class frigates. The RCN vessels will replace the Navy’s Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates and will be able to perform a range of roles, from high-intensity conflict to humanitarian aid.

“Our collaboration with Apex Industries continues Glamox’s history of lighting vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy over the past 35 years. This latest contract marks another significant achievement for the Glamox Group,” said Astrid Simonsen Joos, Group CEO of Glamox. “Our long-term licensing agreement with Apex ensures that our lighting is produced in Canada, and MARL is a partner within the Apex team, which will support Canada’s industrial and technological needs for years to come.”

The first ship lighting package is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2026, with lighting for the other vessels delivered thereafter. These warships are expected to enter service with the RCN in the early 2030s.