Feds launch $5M shipbuilding contract

VANCOUVER—Canada’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) has reached another milestone with the steel cutting of two modules that will sit aboard the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel being developed at the Vancouver Shipyards.

Minister of Public Works and Government Services Diane Finley was on hand to officially announce a $5-million contract for the production of these modules, and tout them as significant progress in the NSPS.

“I’m pleased to be here to cut steel on the initial block production of the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel. This milestone shows our progress and our commitment to rebuilding our Canadian marine industry, which will ultimately lead to the creation of high-quality jobs and economic growth in communities across Canada,” Finley said.

The Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel will be the first class of ship to be built at Vancouver Shipyards under the government’s shipbuilding strategy.

The federal government says this work brings long-term economic benefits to the marine and related sectors in communities across Canada, noting that, as of June 2014, Vancouver Shipyards had awarded $120 million in contracts to Canadian suppliers. More than 100 companies in Canada have been engaged.

Under the terms of this contract, Vancouver Shipyards will build the first two sections of the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel. Building these initial blocks will enable the shipyard to test the new processes, get personnel familiar with the new equipment and streamline construction for when full production begins in spring 2015.

Work on this contract started on October 27, 2014, and will span through spring 2015.

The Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel is part of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada/Canadian Coast Guard Fleet Renewal projects.