Canada looks for ideas on interim icebreaking capacity

Could icebreaking offshore service vessels such as Edison Chouest Offshore's Aiviq be adapted to meet Canada's needs?

NOVEMBER 17, 2016 — The Government of Canada today published an RFI seeking “information regarding the potential pricing and availability of interim measures to provide icebreaking and towing services.”

It looks a lot like what they are looking for is a solution along the lines proposed back in February by shipbuilder Chantier Davie Canada, when it offered to convert available icebreaking offshore tonnage, such as Edison Chouest Offshore’s Aiviq, to meet Canada’s needs (see earlier story).

Davie’s proposal drew howls of rage from the two shipyards that are the prime beneficiaries of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy and the government rejected it on the grounds that it was an “unsolicited proposal.”

Time for Davie to blow the dust off its suggestion. A Notice of Proposed Procurement (NPP) and Request for Information posted on the official website buyandsell.gc.ca says:

The Government of Canada is seeking information regarding the potential pricing and availability of interim measures to provide icebreaking and towing services. It also seeks to understand how the proposed solutions by Industry might provide economic benefits and support to the shipbuilding and broader marine industry in Canada. Consistent with the Buy-in-Canada Shipbuilding Policy, it is the Government of Canada’s intent that the repair, maintenance and refit of vessels will be conducted in Canada.

According to the notice, “due to age and reduced availability of the icebreaking fleet,” the Canadian Coast Guard anticipates that it may require additional icebreaking capacity provided by one to five Icebreakers (Heavy, Medium, or Light) at various times over the next number of years and “must investigate potential bridging strategies to address potential gaps in service.”

“At this time, the focus of the consultations with Industry is to determine the commercial capability available, assess how quickly industry canstartproviding interim capability services and obtain estimates for the potential cost of delivering these services,” says the notice.

Read the notice HERE