Vancouver Shipyards to Build Joint Support Ships in 2016

The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) Secretariat today announced that Vancouver Shipyards will commence construction on the Joint Support Ships, followed by the Polar Icebreaker, under the NSPS non-combat package. It is expected that construction will begin in late 2016.

The decision was based on a comprehensive analysis that included the readiness of each ship’s design, schedule optimization, project costs, and risks related to the timing of ship delivery. The analysis considered operational impacts such as gaps in program capability, and possible ship life extension or refit costs for existing vessels.

The NSPS Secretariat also sought input from Vancouver Shipyards, as well as First Marine International and KPMG as expert third parties, to ensure the best advice was considered in the analysis.

The decision ensures that Canadian shipbuilding capacity is sustainable and does not create the boom and bust cycles that characterized previous shipbuilding projects. Through the NSPS, the Government of Canada has committed to building these ships in Canada, and in doing so, it is re-establishing an industry that is going to bring jobs and prosperity to many communities across the country.

As a result of this decision, the Canadian Coast Guard is taking the necessary measures to keep the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent in service until the Polar Icebreaker is delivered.

Update on other NSPS activities

• Irving Shipbuilding and Vancouver Shipyards are working on their respectively announced $300-million and $200-million infrastructure upgrades.
• Irving is continuing its work on the first two tasks of the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships definition contract. The next two tasks are expected to be awarded in January 2014. The project is on track for steel to be cut in 2015.
• The procurement approach for the project definition phase of the Canadian Surface Combatants will be determined this fall.
• Vancouver Shipyards is continuing its construction-engineering work on the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV). Construction of the vessels is expected to begin in late 2014. Delivery of the first vessel is scheduled for 2016.
• Construction of the OFSV will be immediately followed by construction of the Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel, which is scheduled to begin in 2016. Its delivery is expected in 2017.

The NSPS is now in the fourth phase of a five-phase initiative, with the designs of the initial set of ships being finalized and the shipyards undertaking the work required to be able to build Canada’s ships efficiently. The Government of Canada is following through on its commitment to build ships in Canada.

The NSPS will mean long-term jobs and economic growth for the country, stability for the industry, and vital equipment for the men and women in the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard.

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CanadaGov, October 14, 2013