North Vancouver-based Seaspan Marine Corporation has been awarded a multi-billion dollar shipbuilding contract by the federal government, which promises to have a significant economic impact on the construction industry.
“I think there is a huge role for the construction industry in B.C. to play in it,” said B.C. Premier Christie Clark, during an exclusive interview with the Journal of Commerce this week at the Annual General meeting of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association.
“Remember, $8 million dollars is the biggest federal procurement that has ever been awarded in British Columbia’s history. So, we are building ships, but we are also building all the other infrastructure that goes with ships.”
Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards was awarded an $8-billion federal contract on Oct. 19 for construction of seven non-combat ships, under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS).
Irving Shipbuilding Inc. was awarded a $25 million contract to build 21 combat vessels, which includes Royal Canadian Navy’s Arctic Offshore Patrol ships and the Canadian Surface Combatants ships.
“While we felt we were more than capable of building the combat ships, we are honoured to have been chosen to provide non-combat vessels for the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy and Coast Guard,” said Jonathan Whitworth, Seaspan CEO.
“We have a long and established track record of working with the Canadian Navy and Coast Guard in building ships on time and on budget. Seaspan is committed to returning BC’s shipbuilding industry to its once-thriving roots. This award is a direct result of that commitment. We will deliver world-class ships to Canada.”
The non-combat package awarded to Seaspan includes the Navy’s joint support ships, the Canadian Coast Guard’s off-shore science vessels and the new polar icebreaker.
The $8 billion program will inject billions into the local economy and create an average of 4000 jobs over the next 8-years.
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