Canada: Irving Shipbuilding Announces New Contracts

Irving Shipbuilding confirmed two new contracts for Shelburne Ship Repair, as well as an upcoming job for the Halifax Shipyard’s Nova Dock today; contracts that will require a total of approximately 90 hourly employees.

CFAV Firebird, a DND firefighting tug, is scheduled to arrive at Shelburne Ship Repair Dec. 10 for a 10-week project to blast, paint and perform propulsion repairs. The project is projected to require approximately 25 employees. CFAV Firebird is one of two Fire-class Fireboats operated by the Canadian Forces Maritime Command (Canadian Navy), which can also double as Yard Tractor Tugs.

And the Canadian Coast Guard research vessel CCG Alfred Needler is expected to arrive at Shelburne Ship Repair on Dec. 12 for five weeks of general repairs, blasting, painting, and propulsion system inspections. This project is expected to require approximately 40 employees.

“The excellent reputation of our skilled ship repair specialists at Shelburne Ship Repair has helped to secure these two contracts for the yard,” said Ross Langley, Vice Chairman, Irving Shipbuilding. “The $16 million refurbishment of the yard, shared by Irving Shipbuilding and the Province of Nova Scotia, was a solid investment that has enabled the yard to secure a steady stream of clients, both new and repeat, since the grand re-opening in September 2011.”

Sixteen of the Shelburne Ship Repair employees on temporary layoff were recalled yesterday (December 3) to help in preparations for the upcoming projects, and the yard expects to continue to recall dozens of workers over the next several weeks.

At Halifax Shipyard, the MV Atlantic Vision ferry left the Nova Dock on Sunday, Dec. 2, resulting in a temporary layoff of 21 employees. Due the week of Dec. 6 into the Nova Dock at Halifax Shipyard is HMCS Toronto, a DND Halifax-Class Frigate, for approximately 10 days of preparations for her deployment overseas in January 2013, requiring approximately 24 hourly workers. HMCS Toronto was built in Saint John Shipbuilding and was commissioned on July 29, 1993.

“We’re continuing to aggressively pursue additional commercial and repair projects for Shelburne Ship Repair and our facilities at Halifax Shipyard,” added Langley, “and we hope to be in a position to confirm the details regarding new contracts in the very near future .”

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Press Release, December 04, 2012