“Today
is a milestone we have all been anticipating. It is a great day to be
a shipbuilder in Nova Scotia as we mark the beginning of this generational
opportunity,” said Kevin McCoy, President of Irving Shipbuilding.
“We’re doing this with the best team and the largest and
most modern shipbuilding facility in North America. Our focus is on
delivering the best value to Canada with a growing supply chain from
coast to coast to coast.”
Production has begun on two units for the centre section of the first
Arctic Offshore Patrol ship. Welders, pipefitters, marine fabricators
and iron workers are among the trades involved in the process, using
the new state-of-the-art panel line.
The ship is the first of up to 21 vessels that will renew Canada’s
combatant fleet over the next 30 years under the National Shipbuilding
Procurement Strategy. Irving Shipbuilding has built more than 80% of
Canada’s current combatant ships.
All of the employees on the recall list have been contacted. Current
direct employment at Marine Fabricators in Dartmouth (where steel is
cut) and the Halifax Shipyard is about 900 direct employees (staff and
hourly). Over the next two years, the workforce at both sites is expected
to rise to 1600 direct employees with over 1000 directly employed on
AOPS production. In addition, total employment at Irving Shipbuilding
(all operations) is forecasted to rise to over 2500 direct employees
at peak production of the larger Canadian Surface Combatant vessels
that will replace Canada’s current fleet of Halifax Class frigates.
|
AOPS
is a Government of Canada procurement project for the RCN. The project
is expected to equip the Canadian Forces with six naval ice-capable
offshore patrol ships able to assert and enforce sovereignty in Canada's
waters where and when necessary, including the Arctic. The ships will
conduct missions for northern surveillance, search and rescue, and interoperation
with the Canadian Forces and other government organizations. The first
Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2018. |
