Vanguard Magazine

www.vanguardcanada.com DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 17 i insiDe INDUSTRY are for the Canadian Coast Guard. We are committed to building a long-term rela- tionship with the Coast Guard to build their ships, contribute to the rebirth of a storied sector of the Canadian economy, and indirectly bring public attention back to the CCG. It was the NSPS promise of a predict- able, long-term flow of work that gave us the confidence to invest $170 million of our own money to build the most mod- ern, purpose-designed and built ship-man- ufacturing facility in North America that is now producing the first Coast Guard vessel – the Offshore Fisheries Science Ves- sel (OFSV). It will be the sustainment of Canada's long-term commitment to NSPS and the relationship that the CCG is de- veloping with Seaspan that will strengthen the competitiveness of companies in the marine sector, generate jobs at home, and give confidence to young Canadians to fol- low their dreams into the shipbuilding and ship repair sector. NSPS is contributing directly to Cana- da's industrial mosaic; autos for Ontario, aerospace for Quebec, and ships for each coast - providing high tech jobs across the country, exportable supply chain opportu- nities for the marine sector, and the oppor- tunity of exciting manufacturing careers for our youth for decades to come. Seaspan is playing its part through a co- operative program for engineering gradu- ates from the University of British Columbia (UBC), a West Coast Aboriginal Appren- ticeship program and an Industrial Marine Training & Applied Research Centre. For the CCG, NSPS opens a new chapter for it to support Canada's maritime ambi- tion. The Polar Icebreaker is an important pivot to the program of Coast Guard work. This vessel will signal Canada's return to the forefront of icebreaker design and pro- duction, renewing an essential element in the assertion of Canadian sovereignty in the North and protection of its Arctic environment. The Polar Icebreaker will establish the basis of design and produc- tion capability for the follow-on program of CCG icebreaker building. Put simply, Seaspan is excited to be the Coast Guard's partner for this work. Seaspan is planning to use the design, production, and supply chain capabilities being developed through NSPS to support our pursuit of other government and com- mercial business into the future, including that of BC Ferries. Although the backlog of federal fleet work precluded Seaspan from bidding on the current mid-size ferry procurement, the capabilities being gener- ated through NSPS will ultimately position Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards to offer the tax-payers of BC a compelling future alter- native to offshore procurement, ensuring the economic, long-term sustainment of vital ferry services as a core component of BC prosperity. In summary, NSPS has provided the spark for Canada to think about its mari- time future with renewed interest and am- bition for the long term. Four years into its existence, NSPS is producing tangible results on Canada's west coast. Seaspan is committed to the success of NSPS and is busily delivering to its customers, the Ca- nadian Coast Guard and the Royal Cana- dian Navy. Tim Page is a Vice President – Government Relations at Seaspan Shipyards. Put simply, Seaspan is excited to be the Coast Guard's partner for this work.

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