Thales signs OFSV contract with Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards
On March 24th, Thales in Canada signed a C$35 million contract with Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards (VSY), regarding the electronic systems for the construction of the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV) under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Seaspan recently announced the start of production on the second OFSV. In the meantime, significant progress continues on the first OFSV with 37 of 37 blocks currently under construction, the shipbuilding company said in a press release.
This is an important step that shows Thales’ commitment to NSS and continued success in developing maritime business in Canada. Thales in Canada has been under contract for the initial phases of the OFSV project since 2013 and is also under contract with Seaspan for initial phases of the Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV) for the CCG and the Joint Support Ships (JSS) for the Royal Canadian Navy. As a Tier 1 partner of VSY, Thales is responsible for the selection, procurement and integration of the electronic systems and equipment on the vessels being constructed, including radar, communications, bridge and mission systems.
“Seaspan is full-steam ahead on the production and delivery of its first two National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) Non-Combat vessels, and we are pleased and excited to partner with Thales’ world-class team of experts,” said Brian Carter, President - Seaspan Shipyards. “Today’s announcement is not only a strong reminder of the progress being made under the NSS, but also of the impact it is having, continuing to increase opportunities for Canadian companies and creating jobs for Canadians.”
The steady stream of stable revenue that this project is providing has allowed Thales to invest in research and development to increase the efficacy of the systems that it installs and integrates onto CCG and RCN vessels. Thales in Canada officially opened a new maritime lab in its Ottawa offices in December 2015, in the presence of Pierre Eric Pommellet, EVP Defence Mission Systems. This systems integration and test facility will support the integration of electronic systems for the Canadian Coast Guard vessels. This infrastructure is a key capability for the Thales NSS work, but can also be leveraged in future projects making Thales more competitive, both within Canada and internationally.
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security markets. With 62,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of €14 billion in 2015. With over 22,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the most complex security requirements. Its exceptional international footprint allows it to work closely with its customers all over the world.
About Thales in Canada
Thales employs 1,800 highly-skilled employees in Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver working in Defence & Security, Avionics and Transportation. Thales in Canada has annual revenues of $500 million, with customers in urban rail, civil aviation, defence and security
About Seaspan
Seaspan ULC (Seaspan) is a group of Canadian companies primarily involved in coastal marine and deep-sea transportation, bunker fuelling, ship repair and shipbuilding services on the West Coast of North America.
In addition to marine transportation services offered directly through Seaspan’s marine division, commercial ferry, shipyard and bunkering services are provided through subsidiaries including: Marine Petrobulk Limited Partnership, Seaspan Ferries Corporation, Vancouver Shipyards Company Ltd., Victoria Shipyards Company Ltd. and Vancouver Drydock Company Ltd. Seaspan Shipyards, an affiliate of Seaspan ULC, is comprised of Vancouver Shipyards (VSY), Victoria Shipyards (VSL) and Vancouver Drydock (VDC). VSY, the Company’s new, privately-funded, state-of-the-art shipyard, is the most modern facility of its kind in North America. Tailor-made to support Seaspan’s role as the NSS Non-Combat provider, VSY is the shipbuilding and ship repair centre of excellence on Canada’s West Coast that will allow for the effective and efficient delivery of Non-Combat vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy.
