Canada allocates $65.4M for OOSV and joint support ships

Canadian Minister of Public Services and Procurement announced the signing of two contracts with Seaspan worth $65.4 M under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) for Vancouver Shipyards Co. 

The two new contracts will allow Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards Co. to initiate early discussions with potential suppliers and to purchase material and equipment to build the Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV) and the Joint Support Ships (JSS).

With the new OOSV and JSS contracts now in place, specialized parts such as propulsion systems, scientific equipment, generators and steel can be ordered prior to start of construction, helping to ensure the best value and timely delivery of these vessels.

Speaking at the occasion, Judy M. Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, said: “These investments demonstrate our long-term commitment for continuous shipbuilding projects which will not only rejuvenate our marine industry, but also provide the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard with the ships they need to do their jobs at best value-for-money for Canadian taxpayers. By building these ships here in Canada we are bringing jobs and prosperity to many communities across the country.”

The goal of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy is to meet the Federal fleet renewal needs for both the Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). The program involves four Government departments: DND, Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Industry Canada (IC) and Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).

For large ship construction, estimated at $36.6B, Canada established a strategic relationship with two Canadian shipyards. The selection of the shipyards that will build the large vessels was announced on October 19, 2011.

Irving Shipbuilding will build the Combat vessels, including the Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) and Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) while Vancouver Shipyards will build the Non-Combat vessels, including the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV), Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV), Joint Support Ships (JSS), Polar Icebreaker (PI), Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessels (MEMTV), and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).