Seaspan Shipyards is teaming up with Heddle Shipyards to bid for the Canadian Coast Guard’s future Polar Icebreaker.
Under the terms of their agreement, if Seaspan Shipyards is awarded the Polar Icebreaker, Heddle will fabricate ship modules at its three Ontario shipyards.
The construction of the Polar Icebreaker will support thousands of Canadian jobs over the multi-year life of the program, Seaspan said.
Seaspan was selected in 2011 as Canada’s NSS strategic partner to build all large non-combat vessels. Seaspan has since made $185 million investment in capital infrastructure, and is ‘purpose-built’ for the construction of the Polar Icebreaker.
“It is the only shipyard in Canada with the workforce, facilities and capacity in place today to deliver the complex vessel by the Coast Guard’s critical 2029 deadline,” Seaspan said.
Canada’s existing Polar Icebreaker, the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is in its sixth decade of service. It the only ship in the Canadian fleet that is capable of year-round operations in the Arctic.
A replacement is needed by 2029 in order to continue to support Canada’s economy and year-round marine trade, to resupply Canada’s Arctic communities and industries, and to conduct search and rescue and environmental response operations in the Far North.
“We are excited to partner with Heddle to extend the economic and social benefits of the NSS, and to leverage their skills and resources to deliver a flagship Polar Icebreaker worthy of the Canadian Coast Guard and its critical missions,” said Mark Lamarre, Chief Executive Officer, Seaspan Shipyards.
Comments
NOTE: The North Shore Daily Post welcomes your opinions and comments. We do not allow personal attacks, offensive language or unsubstantiated allegations. We reserve the right to edit comments for length, style, legality and taste and reproduce them in print, electronic or otherwise. For further information, please contact the editor or publisher, or see our Terms and Conditions.