Seaspan, a long-standing sustainment partner for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), welcomes yesterday’s announcement by the Government of Canada that it has taken the next steps to procuring a new fleet of submarines by identifying Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. (Hanwha) as the two qualified suppliers for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
For more than 15 years, Seaspan has been providing maintenance, repair and sustainment support for the RCN’s current fleet of submarines. Through this work, Seaspan has built a large, highly skilled and experienced Canadian submarine workforce and a dedicated Canadian supply chain for servicing and outfitting naval submarines. Our deep relationships with the RCN Fleet Maintenance Facilities are a critical element for future success. Seaspan is ready today to help Canada protect its sovereignty by providing long-term, in-service support of the future submarines, ensuring a high operational availability for the RCN’s Pacific fleet.
Seaspan has been proactively working with potential CPSP submarine builders and the Government of Canada on a plan for leveraging the extensive, established experience and capabilities to ensure a smooth transition between the existing and the new class of submarines upon their arrival in Canada. Our expertise and learned experiences will contribute significantly to a successful transition into service for Canada’s new submarines. By continuing to keep submarine in-service support as a sovereign capability in Canada, the operational needs of the RCN will be the top priority, and the program will generate significant economic benefits for Canada’s marine and defence industry.
“What is most critical for the success of this program is for the submarine builder to engage with the Canadian submarine enterprise on day one as a full strategic partner,” Dave Hargreaves, Senior Vice President – Strategy, Business Development and Communications, said. “Leveraging the submarine builder’s experience with international partnerships and establishing foreign in-service support capabilities will be essential for the success of this program. Combining that experience with Seaspan Shipyards, as a fully Canadian company, is the best path to both operational success for the Navy and broad, long-term economic and strategic benefits for Canada.”
With the longest coastline in the world, having a modern, readily available and ice-capable submarine fleet is crucial for Canada to be able to respond to current and emerging threats, and help keep Canadian sailors safe at home and abroad.
We look forward to working with the successful bidder and the RCN to support Canada’s future submarine fleet for decades to come.
QUICK FACTS
Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyards is an important contributor to Canada’s economy. According to an economic analysis conducted by Deloitte, since 2012, Victoria Shipyards has contributed more than $1.7 billion to Canada’s GDP, while creating or sustaining nearly 1,800 jobs annually.
Victoria Shipyards recently completed its largest-ever Docking Work Period under the Halifax-Class Work Period contract, delivering HMCS Calgary back to the RCN.
Throughout the past 30 years, Victoria Shipyards has performed repairs and maintenance on nearly 500 vessels, including Royal Canadian Navy frigates, submarines, cruise ships, ferries and foreign navy vessels.
Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Seaspan has invested more than $35 million to support education, learning, research and skills development in the marine industry, with a special focus on reducing barriers for underrepresented groups, bringing a range of new talent into the industry and the trades, including more women and Indigenous people, and creating opportunities for youth through internships and apprenticeships.
