Page 54: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 2005)
The Offshore Industry Anual
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54 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News
The Next Five Years
The future health of the industry will be tied to the domestic shipbuilding and offshore oil and gas markets. The demand is starting to build. The govern- ment has just announced the largest increase in military spending in decades.
The Navy has just released a "Letter of
Interest" calling for interested parties to form teams and identify themselves as competitors for the construction of three "Joint Support ships". A Frigate life extension program and the acquisition of a new surface combatant are in plan- ning.
The Coast Guard has been given approval of its plan for fleet renewal and money is in the budget to begin this process. The Great lakes fleet must soon abandon its policy of renewing the forebodies of its ships and begin replac- ing these old vessels. In my view the environmental pressures will demand it.
British Columbia Ferries is beginning the renewal of the largest ferry fleet in
North America and Marine Atlantic is studying the best way to put new resources on its ferry routes.
There are always some clouds on the horizon. The shipbuilding workforce is older and we have fewer young persons joining the workforce in comparison to other Canadian manufacturing indus- tries. This why newbuilding is so important. It is the prospect of exciting new designs and ships that will attract bright young engineers and technicians into the industry.
Canadian yards do have many strengths. Foremost of these is that we produce fine quality products. Yards have made investments in new process- es, automation and robotics and our older work force is very highly skilled.
Canadian Yards know they can com- pete once they get on a reasonably level playing field with the competition. For example, Robert Allen (Vancouver) designed and East Isle (Prince Edward
Island) built tugs are sold international- ly. Victoria Shipyards is one of the refit shipyards in the Holland America
Signature of Excellence program. The
Canadian Patrol Frigate is a shining example of the technical sophistication and know-how of our industry
Conclusion
Shipbuilding is important to Canada.
It must be continually emphasized that shipbuilding plays a significant role in the maritime security of Canada. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to realize that without indigenous ship- building and repair, Canada will not be able to defend against maritime incur- sions. We are not in head to head com- petition with the Asian tigers. We require building only 6 to 12 ships a year to keep our industry robust. We must capture our own domestic market then leverage the expertise gained into the international market. In my view, our strength will prove to be in small ships and offshore modules with a high degree of technical sophistication and complex- ity.
New Equipment to Detect
Ship Pollution
The Canadian government purchased new marine pollution aerial surveillance equipment designed to strengthen
Transport Canada's National Aerial
Surveillance Program, said Transport
Minister Jean-C. Lapierre. The $2.3 mil- lion contract will cover the purchase of the equipment, as well as the onboard
Country Focus: Canada
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Features Exclusive to the
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PERFORMANCE
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ComNav Marine Ltd. #15-13511 Crestwood Place Richmond, BC, Canada V6V 2G1 (604) 207-1600 www.comnavmarine.com
ComNav ComPilot MR.indd 1 3/10/05 9:21:00 PM
Circle 227 on Reader Service Card
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