Canada: Vancouver Shipyards Signs NSPS Vessels Contract

Vancouver Shipyards has been awarded additional NSPS Vessels. Canadian Coast Guard has elected to spend $5.2 billion for the construction of additional ships under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) program along with other capital expenditures as announced in last week’s Federal Budget.

Under the original NSPS award from October 19, 2011, Vancouver Shipyards has been chosen to build Canada’s Non-Combat vessels. Vancouver Shipyards will be working closely with the Canadian Coast Guard to determine the timing and sequence of the additional vessels announced last week.

“We are extremely excited about last week’s announcement and are looking forward to fulfilling our commitment of providing the best quality ships to the Government of Canada, Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy” said Seaspan’s Jonathan Whitworth, CEO. “The award of additional Coast Guard vessels not only shows the Government of Canada’s unwavering commitment to the Canadian shipbuilding industry, but also their commitment to Vancouver Shipyards as the winner of the NSPS Non- Combat package. We are also pleased that the additional Coast Guard vessels create and sustain a significant number of additional jobs and careers in Vancouver and Victoria. Thanks also in part to the NSPS requirement for Seaspan to invest in new technology, industrial and human resource development in the West Coast shipbuilding and ship repair industry, Seaspan’s investment commitment will now grow to over $50 mln.”

Under the original Non-Combat program, Vancouver Shipyards was awarded seven new vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard. Those vessels include: two Joint Support Ships, one Polar Icebreaker, three Offshore Fisheries Science vessels and one Offshore Oceanagraphic Science Vessel.

“Planning, hiring and the modernization of our shipyards has already commenced,” said Jonathan. “We look forward to beginning construction on the first vessel under the Federal Non-Combat program in 2013.”

The first vessel built under the program will be the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel. Seaspan Shipyards is spending up to $200 million in facilities upgrades at its Vancouver and Victoria shipyards.

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Naval Today Staff , April 05, 2012; Image: STX Marine