The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Official Languages and Regional Minister for British Columbia introduced on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, an important step forward for Canada’s Northern Strategy: selection of the firm that will design the Canadian Coast Guard’s future Flagship, the Polar Icebreaker, CCGS John G. Diefenbaker.
“ I am pleased to announce that the team at STX Canada Marine Inc. of Vancouver is taking on this important project ,” said Minister Moore . “ This project is yet another example of our Government’s commitment to support jobs and growth, and we look forward to seeing the Diefenbaker, designed and built in Vancouver, defending Canada’s Arctic sovereignty in the North .”
“ As part of our government’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, our government is delivering on our promise to create good jobs across Canada and a strategic vision for shipbuilding in Canada ,” said Minister Ambrose . “ This will be a great business opportunity for a Canadian ship designer that will both support Canadian industry and the regional econom y.”
“ The Canadian Coast Guard is a proud institution with a rich maritime history; this year, the Coast Guard is celebrating its 50th anniversary ,” said Minister Ashfield . “Our government is showing unprecedented support for the Coast Guard – investments like this new polar icebreaker will give the men and women of the Coast Guard the tools and training they need to do their jobs. We can barely wait to welcome the Diefenbaker to our fleet.”
The awarding of this $9.5 million contract formally launches the detailed design effort for the Polar Icebreaker. Expected to take 18 – 24 months to complete, STX Canada Marine Inc. will, based on the conceptual design produced by the Canadian Coast Guard, advance the design work to the point where a comprehensive design package can be provided to Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. to build the vessel.
This contract award is the culmination of a competitive selection process that started in June 2010 with the release of a Letter of Interest to industry. Eight design firms responded to that process. This was followed by an information session in October 2010 to give industry a more thorough appreciation of the intended scope of work and to provide a venue for them to ask questions. The formal Request for Proposal process was released in June 2011, with bidders given three and a half months to prepare their bids. Four bids were evaluated through a fair, open and transparent selection process determined to provide the best value for Canada.
Vessel construction will take place at Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd., recently announced through the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. Sea trials and delivery of the vessel to the Canadian Coast Guard is anticipated for late 2017.
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, February 6, 2012; Image: dfo-mpo.gc