MAN to power Canada’s Joint Support Ships

Canadian shipbuilder Seaspan Shipyards has awarded MAN Energy Solutions Canada a CAD 55 million contract to provide essential power generation and propulsion systems for the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Joint Support Ships.

Canadian defense ministry render of the JSS design

Propulsion and power generation components will include two MAN 12V32/44CR (Common Rail) propulsion engines equipped with environmental protection SCR technology, reduction gears, propulsion shafts, propellers, ship service diesel generator sets, and an emergency diesel generator set.

Work on these components will take place in Europe at MAN’s established manufacturing facilities. Work taking place in Canada will include MAN providing the integration for these systems, training, testing, and support during the harbor acceptance trials and the sea acceptance trials.

The two Joint Support Ships (JSS) are being built to replace the former Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels.

In June 2018, Seaspan started building JSS blocks to bridge a gap in employment as current works on three Canadian Coast Guard fisheries vessels will be completed before the design for a new coast guard ocean science ship is ready.

The first JSS is scheduled for delivery in 2022/23, and the second in 2023/24.