A Victoria shipyard has been awarded one of three government contracts, totalling $7 billion, to maintain and repair Royal Canadian Navy frigates.
Early this morning, the federal government announced that Seaspan Victoria Shipyards has been chosen for an advance contract award notices alongside Irving Shipbuilding Inc. in Nova Scotia, and Chantier Davie Canada Inc. in Quebec.
The three shipyards were hand-picked after extensive industry research was conducted, assessing the docks’ necessary workforce and infrastructure to work on the Halifax-class frigates.
“As outlined in our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, we are ensuring that the women and men of our Royal Canadian Navy are equipped with the ships they need to serve Canadians,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Canada’s Minister of National Defence in a press release.
“Our Government is taking measures to ensure that our modernized Halifax-class frigates are able to continue to protect Canadian waters and contribute significantly to international operations.”
The military vessels will need a variety of work done, like engineering change work, equipment installations, docking work, and corrective maintenance to make sure that ships remain operational and relevant throughout their lifespan.
The contracts, including taxes, have a combined value of over $7 billion to maintain 12 different Halifax-class frigates. Currently, seven of the ships are stationed in Halifax and five are located in Esquimalt.
Since the contracts are advance contract award notices, these three shipyards are likely, but not definitively, going to be used. Other interested suppliers have 15 days to bid on the contract and submit a “statement of capabilities” that meets the requirements laid out by the federal government to be considered.
