Seaspan photo
Press Release
Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) welcomed the Hon. Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, and the Hon. Ernie Klassen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Fisheries and MP, South Surrey–White Rock, to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards in a celebration marking 15 years of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).
The NSS is a long-term commitment from the Government of Canada to renew the fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). With the support and initiative of the Canadian government, the NSS is rebuilding the shipbuilding industrial sector.
Since the NSS’s inception, Seaspan has helped revitalize an entire industrial marine ecosystem on the West Coast. Its established supply chains include more than 800 Canadian companies across the country and have provided more than $3 billion in contracts. Seaspan has also built out Canada’s largest marine and design engineering capability, is supporting more than 11,000 jobs annually and has contributing more than
$5.7 billion to Canada’s economy since 2012. Seaspan plays a critical role in helping Canada fulfill its NATO defence spending commitments.
Under the NSS, Seaspan is designing, building and delivering essential ships for Canada, including important Polar Class vessels for the CCG. We have delivered three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV) to the CCG, which marked the completion of the first class of large vessels under the NSS. All three vessels are now in service, fulfilling important missions for Canada. Under construction at Seaspan are also two Joint Support Ships for the RCN, HMCS Preserver and the recently-launched HMCS Protecteur, both of which will be
delivered to the RCN in the coming years and provide a key capability for the Canadian Armed Forces and our allies.Sea trials are underway for the CCG’s new Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV).
Once delivered, CCGS Naalak Nappaluuk will be the most modern science research vessel in their fleet.
Earlier this year, Seaspan also began construction on the CCG’s new made-in-Canada heavy polar icebreaker. This ship will be the largest vessel in the CCG’s fleet and one of the most powerful heavy icebreakers in the world.
Design and engineering on the CCG’s Multi-Purpose Icebreakers has also recently progressed, following the success of the first flight’s (six ships) Functional Design Review Meeting. As a result of this NSS work, Seaspan’s ship design and engineering capabilities on the West Coast have opened up new, potential export opportunities to Canada’s allies.
Seaspan’s additional two shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards, also continue to excel under the repair and maintenance pillar of the NSS. Ongoing maintenance, repair and vessel life extension services have been provided to the RCN’s current fleet of West Coast-based frigates and to CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, among others.
