Seaspan recently held an Industry Day in Ottawa to provide an update on its progress of the Non-Combat package of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).

Over 50 companies participated in the event which according to Ian Brennan – Vice President, New Construction, Supply Chain Management & Contracts – Vancouver Shipyards, provided “an important opportunity to meet and engage with current and prospective suppliers.” Brennan said that the meeting that was held on May 30, was used to describe their growing needs while explaining in greater detail the role suppliers can play in becoming members of Seaspan’s team to deliver the “best possible vessels to the Government of Canada.”

He went on to add that this event is a strong reminder of the progress Seaspan is making on the NSS and their continued commitment to draw experienced and innovative marine industrial companies to join their expanding supply chain.

Seaspan is forecasted to spend over $1.3 billion with Canadian suppliers during the first decade of the NSS. Further, it is projected that Seaspan’s NSS activity will generate more than 2300 direct, indirect and induced jobs annually and contribute almost $290 million in GDP for Canada’s economy each year.

The Government of Canada awarded Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards in October 2011, the contract to build Non-Combat vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy after an open and competitive procurement process.

Seaspan’s Non-Combat Vessel package includes:

· Three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSVs)
· One Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV)
· Two Joint Support Ships (JSS)
· One Polar Icebreaker (PIB)
· Up to five Medium Endurance Multi-tasked Vessels (MEMTVs); and
· Up to five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs)

Over 180 Canadian suppliers are part of Seaspan’s team in building the three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels.