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Under the contract, Lockheed Martin Canada must procure, install and inte- grate the modernized combat systems and provide the long-term in-service sup- port of the command and control system. The Coast Guard also awarded a con- tract for five more 47-foot motor lifeboats to Victoria Shipyards. This will make a total of 29 that they will have delivered. As part of a federal government stimu- lus package there were assorted repair and overhaul contracts awarded to ship- yards across the country. Commercial Shipbuilding Life has not been easy for commercial shipbuilders. Each project is hard fought. That said the smaller yards still build tugs, fireboats and other utility vessels competitively for the international mar- ket. Canada’s larger shipowners are lured to places such as the heavily subsidized shipyards in China for cheap ships. The fact is that the shipbuilding market place is not a free market place and countries such as Canada will never be able to compete on any grand scale. That is why the domestic small ship market is so important to Canadian ship- yards. Canada has a large ferry system. Most of these ferry companies are provincially governed. At this time the Newfoundland government is replacing several of its ferries at the Kiewit ship- yard in Marystown. The Quebec govern- ment has made it known that they will soon be replacing some of their ships. Vancouver shipyards in the last year have furnished BC Ferries with a small car/passenger ferry and not to be outdone Victoria Shipyards has delivered a new “Seabus” to the cross-harbor ferry run be- tween Vancouver and North Vancouver. The decision by the Ferry companies to move the acquisition of their larger fer- ries to offshore builders is a disturbing trend. A major cause for concern is the fi- nancial difficulties being experienced by Davie Yards in Quebec. They are in what the United States readers would call Chapter 11 while they rework their fi- nances and business plan. They have until about the 25th of September before they are required to appear in court with their proposed way ahead. Conclusion Canada’s shipbuilding and Marine technology industries are on the verge of something big. The dollar figures are large. However looking beyond the ex- penditures is what is important. Twelve years ago shipbuilding was looked upon as a smoke stack industry. That never was the case. Finally it is being recog- nized for what it actually is, a complex high technology industry. Shipbuilding and its marine technology partners are a vital cog in the maritime defense of Canada. The shipbuilding industry can be counted upon to play its part in the new shipbuilding strategy. 40 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News (Continued from page 24) MLBs (Photo cr edit: V ictoria Shipyar ds) FEATURE CANADA
