The Government of Canada has awarded a contract to Chantier Davie, of Lévis, Quebec for the acquisition of three icebreakers and work to prepare the first ship for service in the Canadian Coast Guard.
On behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard, Public Services and Procurement Canada has awarded a $610-million contract to the shipbuilding company. Additional costs will be known once the Government of Canada has examined the vessels and determined what work is required to prepare them for service.
“The first vessel is expected to begin operations for the upcoming icebreaking season, beginning in December 2018,” a press release states. “The second and third vessels will be converted, refit and available to support Coast Guard programs by the summer of 2019 and the winter of 2019-2020, respectively.”
This contract is expected to secure about 200 jobs at Chantier Davie and shows the Government’s commitment to equip the Canadian Coast Guard. The acquisition of these three medium commercial icebreakers “will help to ensure continuity of service for Coast Guard clients and the safe passage of marine traffic through Canada’s waterways.”
With this contract, the Government of Canada has now awarded more than $8.1 billion of National Shipbuilding Strategy-related contracts across Canada. The award was made after an Advance Contract Award Notice was issued on June 22, 2018.
“The acquisition of these icebreakers is proof of our Government’s commitment to keep our waterways open for business year-round and to support our coastal communities,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “This is a great day for the Coast Guard and for the Canadians they serve.”
