Quebec maritime strategy applauded by Davie Shipyard

Written by Marine Log Staff
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The Cecon Pride under construction at Davie

JUNE 7, 2014—Canadian shipbuilder Chantier Davie Canada Inc. recently commended the  quick launch of  a regional maritime strategy by the newly elected Premier of Quebec and his administration, just a few months after its election.

The shipyard in Levis, Quebec, employs about 900 workers. Davie Chairman Alex Vicefield welcomed the nomination of a Minister for the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy, Jean D’Amour, as well as the concrete measures announced in Quebec’s 2014-2015 Budget on June 4, including the additional amortization deduction for shipbuilding and ship renovation.

“The Maritime Strategy is a robust and comprehensive policy,” said Vicefield, “which spans the maritime value chain and encompasses all facets of the industry, from intermodal and bulk logistics to tourism, marine biotechnologies and, of course, shipbuilding and ship repair.”

Under his maritime strategy, the Premier of Quebec Philippe Couillard wants Quebec to be the hub of transatlantic trade. He wants to increase shipyard activities, as well as promote fishing and cruise tourism.

Prior to his election, Couillard proposed investing $3 billion in infrastructure investments and another $4 billion in private sector investments along the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Gulf of the St. Lawrence over the next 15 years.

He sees the investments creating up to 30,000 jobs from 2015 to 2030 and generating $3.5 billion in tax revenue for Quebec and the Canadian government.

“We know the global marine industry and we have seen similar strategies adopted in several European nations reap great rewards,” added Vicefield. “Quebec is one of North America’s most important maritime clusters – located on a major international shipping route and home to some of the world’s leading ship owners, ship designers, marine engineering firms as well as several highly innovative, added-value shipbuilders. This strategy is the right one—it’s about innovation, private investment, foresight and local companies working together to ensure we get the most from our coastal and inland seaways in a sustainable manner. It’s exciting times for Quebec’s maritime cluster.”

Notable projects at Davie include the construction of two LNG-fueled ferries for STQ and a series of diesel-electric SURF subsea construction vessels for Cecon ASA. Based on a Vik-Sandvik VS 4220 design, the first in the series is the Cecon Pride. The DP3 vessel has a length of 130 meters, beam of 28 meters, cargo capacity of 10,000 dwt, and a 250-tonne Active Heave Compensation crane. It can work in pipe laying operations, deep sea well stimulation, and subsea activities. The Panamanian-flag vessel is classed by DNV GL DnV, 1A1, DYNPOS AUTRO, E0, CLEAN, COMF-V(3) C(3), HELDK-SH, SF, ICE C, CRANE, NAUT OSV(A).

The Cecon Pride’s first contract is a bareboat charter to marine contractors Micoperi Srl.

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