Public Works Minister Diane Finley celebrated cutting steel on the first AOPS in June, but three months later, Irving Shipbuilding has rolled out the ticker-tape for another celebration!
The construction of Canada’s Arctic Offshore Patrol ships (AOPS) has officially started (again) and hundreds of employees gathered in Irving Shipyards’ Assembly Hall on the Halifax waterfront to celebrate the achievement.
“Today is a milestone we have all been anticipating. It is a great day to be a shipbuilder in Nova Scotia as we mark the beginning of this generational opportunity,” said Kevin McCoy, President of Irving Shipbuilding. “We’re doing this with the best team and the largest and most modern shipbuilding facility in North America. Our focus is on delivering the best value to Canada with a growing supply chain from coast to coast to coast.”
Welders, pipefitters, marine fabricators and iron workers are among the trades involved in the building process, using the new state-of-the-art panel line.
The ship is the first of up to 21 vessels that will renew Canada’s combatant fleet over the next 30 years under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. Irving Shipbuilding has built more than 80% of Canada’s current combatant ships.
To date, the modernization at Irving Shipbuilding and the AOPS contract have resulted in over $1 Billion in spending commitments:
- Over $850 Million committed within Canada (84% of contracts awarded)
- Over $300 Million committed spend to companies in Nova Scotia
- Over 2,000 suppliers now registered with Irving Shipbuilding
This spend will generate*:
- Over 8,700 Direct and Indirect jobs in Canada (3,400 in Nova Scotia)
- Over $550 Million in Direct and Indirect Employment Income
- An Estimated $400 Million in Consumer Spending
*Source: ISI Economic Impact Assessment, Jupia Consulting Inc.