By Mark Edward Nero
Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards has signed a $35 million contract with the Canadian division of global technology company Thales regarding the electronic systems for the construction of three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard, Seaspan and Thales both announced May 26.
Thales in Canada 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 Non-Combat vessels, and we are pleased and excited to partner with Thales’ world-class team of experts,” Seaspan Shipyards President Brian Carter said in a statement.
Seaspan on March 29 announced the start of production on the second of the three OFSVs. According to Thales, progress continues on the first OFSV with 37 of 37 blocks currently under construction. Thales 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.
The three Canadian Coast Guard science vessels are scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2017.
