Canada’s shipbuilding industry continues its resurgence and Seaspan Shipyards is has marked a significant milestone in its contribution to the efforts. Seaspan has recently surpassed $2 billion in contracts to Canadian companies involved in the design and construction of new, large non-combat vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard. This number includes the supply-chain engaged for the three ships already delivered, the three currently under construction in the shipyard and the two-classes of vessels currently in the design phase. Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) is the plan at the centre of the construction of these vessels and others. The NSS is a multi-decade spanning program to renew Canada’s federal fleet of ships and create economic impact and employment opportunities across the country.
Seaspan has a cross-Canada NSS supply chain that includes more than 700 Canadian businesses and continues to grow. More than half of these businesses are small to medium-sized with fewer than 250 employees. Contracts provided to these businesses by Seaspan through the NSS are a source of stable revenue that, in turn, allows suppliers to reinvest in research and development, technology and process improvements, skills development, and new infrastructure. More than 500 companies in British Columbia make up the largest contingent of suppliers while companies in Ontario can boast the largest total contract value at over $950 million.
“At Seaspan, we know that teamwork builds ships, and that teamwork extends to Canadian companies, many of which are small and medium sized business that we rely on within our supply-chain. The growth, in number and size, of our Canadian suppliers gives further proof that the National Shipbuilding Strategy is working, and that its goal of rebuilding a domestic shipbuilding industry is on a clear path to success. Canada is a maritime nation, and the shipbuilding industry will continue to be a steady and growing contributor to Canada’s economy. Given the uncertainty of Canada’s economic outlook, we’re pleased to be growing the economic opportunities for Canadian companies and Canadian shipbuilders, from coast to coast,” remarked Steve Christiansen, Vice-President, Supply Chain Management, Seaspan Shipyards.
Seaspan is proof positive that the NSS is working in Canada. They delivered the final of three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSVs) to the Canadian Coast Guard in October of 2020, completing the first full class of ships under the NSS. The third OFSV had to be completed by working continuously and safely through the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction is now underway on the Canadian Coast Guard’s Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel, and two Joint Support Ships for the Royal Canadian Navy which represent the longest naval vessels ever to be built in Canada.
Contracts will continue to be awarded to Seaspan’s Canadian supply chain partners as they move forward with the design of a new Polar Icebreaker and Multi-Purpose Vessels.