Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards was chosen as the prime contractor to build the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) program’s non-combat vessels. The $8 billion program will not only inject billions into the local economy, but it will create an average of 4000 jobs over the next 8-years. In addition, the Federal Government has plans for a further 17 vessels which should fall under the non-combat package.
“We are honoured to have been chosen to provide non-combat vessels for the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy and Coast Guard,” said Jonathan Whitworth, Seaspan CEO. “We have a long and established track record of working with the Canadian Navy and Coast Guard in building ships on time and on budget. Seaspan is committed to returning BC’s shipbuilding industry to its once-thriving roots.”
Although planning will begin immediately, construction on the new vessels will not likely start until late 2012. In the meantime, over $150 million worth of infrastructure will be built at Seaspan’s shipyards in North Vancouver and Victoria, while vessel design work is being finalized.