What happened: Navy vessels set to be built in North Vancouver as part of $2.4-billion contract
Why it matters: Seaspan says it will invest entire value of contract into Canadian economy
A government contract worth $2.4 billion is dropping anchor at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. in a bid to deliver two new vessels to the Royal Canadian Navy.
The federal government revealed Monday (June 15) it’s awarded the contract for full construction of a pair of joint support ships to be built at the company’s North Shore facility.
Seaspan has committed to investing 100% of the value into the Canadian economy as part of its contract.
The design contract for the vessels was awarded in February 2017 and construction of the early blocks of the first ship began in June 2018.
With the full construction contract awarded, construction of the second ship will follow after the first ship has been completed.
The first ship, the HMCS Protecteur, will be the largest naval ship by length ever built in Canada at a length of 173.7 metres.
The support ships will deliver fuel and other vital supplies to other vessels at seas, while also offering medical and dental services as well as facilitate helicopter maintenance.
The government said in a release the support ships would allow combat ships to remain at sea for longer periods without needing to resupply on shore.
The two ships are expected to be delivered in 2023 and 2025, respectively.
Seaspan CEO Mark Lamarre told Business in Vancouver last month his industry is not going untouched by the pandemic.
“We won’t be looking the same when we come out of this,” he said, referring to the safety precautions being implemented as well as a shift to remote work wherever possible.
“I’ve even been called out for being too close to somebody out in the shipyards. So it’s a team sport that everybody’s taking seriously.”
The shipbuilder has significantly reduced the number of employees working within the cramped confines of submarines, while crews have been spread out across ships to ensure social distancing.
Employees have also been instructed not to gather at gates for entry and exit, while those who need to work near each other are required to don appropriate PPE.
And for workers who remain uncomfortable coming to the job site following the new safety measures, they’ve been told they can stay at home without job repercussions, Lamarre added.
