Built in 2010 as a shallow-draught icebreaking tug Mangystau-2 for the Caspian Sea oil fields, the vessel was acquired by Canada as an interim solution while the existing fleet undergoes service life extension and maintenance.

[3] The five Mangystau-class icebreaking tugs were built to support the development, construction and operation of the Kashagan Field in the seasonally-freezing northern Caspian Sea where the water depth can be as low as 3 metres (9.8 ft).

[6][13] In addition to towing and pushing supply barges, the vessels could carry out ice management around the artificial island as well as remain on standby for firefighting, oil spill cleanup operations, and evacuation of up to 300 people in the event of blowout involving hydrogen sulphide.

[15] Among other things, the final technical requirements called for a vessel not more than 25 years old (as of 1 April 2020) capable of breaking 60-centimetre (24 in) first-year level ice at a speed of at least 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph).

The work awarded to Canadian Maritime Engineering included for example modifications to the vessel's potable water system, removal of all external firefighting equipment, and thorough cleaning of the ventilation ducting.

[20] In January 2024, it was announced that a C$34.3 million contract for further refit, modernization and overhauling of CCGS Judy LaMarsh had been awarded to St. John's-based ship repair company St John's Dockyard Ltd., also known as Newdock.