Vancouver Shipyards awarded chip barge contract

Canada’s Vancouver Shipyards is to build six chip barges for parent company Seaspan Marine Corporation.

The newbuild contract coincides with Vancouver Shipyard’s recent win of the C$8 billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) non-combat contract with the Canadian Federal Government.

“The Seaspan Marine contract, coupled with two contracts awarded in late December 2010 to build three chip barges and one oil barge, will ensure stability in our workforce until the steel is cut on the first non-combat vessel,” said Jonathan Whitworth, Seaspan CEO. “In addition to increased maintenance and repair to our Seaspan tug and barge fleet, the new construction contract will not only provide work for in excess of 200 skilled trades people, but it also allows the company to continue apprenticeship, purchasing and project management training ahead of the NSPS program.”

“This new contract further signals Seaspan’s commitment to continued re-investment in the marine industry, and the commitment to our forest product customers such as Catalyst Paper Corporation, Nanaimo Forest Products and Howe Sound Pulp & Paper,” said Mr. Whitworth. 

The six new chip barges are  similar in design to the twelve barges built at Vancouver Shipyards since 2000. They will measure 61 m in length, 15 m in breadth and 4 m depth. Construction on the new barges will begin in January 2012 with completion of all six-chip barges by January 2013.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the new construction contract for Vancouver Shipyards,” said Mr. Whitworth. “This will give them the opportunity to hone their already efficient and well developed shipbuilding skills in time to start construction of the 56 m Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel for the Canadian Coast Guard in late 2012.”

November 8, 2011
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