Federal scientific-research ships are taking shape at Vancouver Shipyards, where the first one will be ready later this year to head across the water for trials off Victoria.
North Vancouver-based Seaspan will build as many as 17 non-combat vessels worth a total of $8 billion in coming years. This includes three offshore fisheries science vessels.
The work matters to the capital region because Seaspan owns Victoria Shipyards, which uses the federal graving dock in Esquimalt. The company’s shipbuilding expertise grows through building complex federal vessels, which drives training programs for those wanting to pursue marine trades. Camosun College, for example, has beefed up its marine-trades training facilities.
These jobs have sparked capital investment in shipyards in Victoria and Vancouver. The work enhances competence at shipyards, allowing them to better compete for public- and private-sector jobs, bringing more stability to the sector.
With the first fisheries science vessel nearly finished, the keel-laying ceremony for the second ship took place last month. Construction has also started on the third fisheries vessel.
Federal officials recently announced a $230-million design and production engineering contract with Seaspan for naval joint support ships, also being built under the government program. The ships will be used to resupply food, water, fuel, ammunition and spare parts for vessels at sea and at shore.
The list of non-combat vessels Seaspan is building includes:
• Three offshore fisheries science vessels.
• One offshore oceanographic science vessel.
• Two naval joint-support ships
• One polar icebreaker.
• Up to five medium-endurance multi-tasked vessels.
• Up to five offshore patrol vessels.
