The Canadian Shipbuilding and Industrial Marine Industry

The Canadian Shipbuilding and Industrial Marine Industry (PDF, 432 KB, 3 pages)

 

---

 
A Converted Deepwater Pipe Laying Vessel by Davie Yards / HMCS Edmonton

The Canadian shipbuilding and industrial marine industry has a long and proud history that encompasses everything from the world's finest 19th-century sailing schooners to modern worldclass icebreakers. In between are a diverse group of vessels that have been designed and built in this country to serve our unique, expansive coastline and its network of coastal marine communities.

The Canadian shipbuilding and industrial marine industry consists of:

• shipyards located in several parts of Canada, capable of building a wide range of vessels of up to 85,000 deadweight tons; and
• firms with specialized capabilities in manufacturing and repairing ships, building oil and gas rigs, and supplying related equipment, technologies and services.

Canadian shipyards are world leaders in building:

• ferries
• fishing vessels
• offshore supply vessels
• lakers
• tugboats
• cargo ships
• offshore drilling platforms

 
The Esquimalt Graving Dock

The industry also has expert experience in designing and producing:

• sophisticated naval ships
• icebreakers
• coast guard vessels.

Recently, the Canadian shipbuilding and industrial marine industry has been engaged in successfully building luxury yachts for the world market and has carved out a niche in ship repair and overhaul.

 
A Luxury Yacht built by A.F. Theriault

Constant Innovation

To remain an industry leader, the Canadian shipbuilding and industrial marine industry has had to innovate, invest in modern technology and manufacturing processes, and produce highquality products for sophisticated buyers, in a competitive and timely fashion. With a diversified product and market focus, the industry is now in a strategic position to capture upcoming opportunities.

 
A Search and Rescue Craft built by MetalCraft Marine

As the shipbuilding and industrial marine industry moves toward higher value and more sophisticated segments of the market, the quality of the equipment that goes into a new vessel is increasingly important. For instance, offshore oil platforms require tremendous technological resources and expertise for their conceptual design, construction and operation. They are part of complex, hightech, high-value-added projects involving all segments of the industry. As a result, the shipbuilding and industrial marine industry generates a considerable and lucrative demand for:

• electronic navigational devices
• communication equipment
• radar and sonar
• marine robotics
• sub-sea vehicles
• imaging equipment
• marine applications programming.

The equipment manufacturers are, and will continue to be, an integral and essential part of the industrial marine sector that ensures its competitiveness.

 
An Offshore Oil Structure built by Irving Shipbuilding

 

Canadian Excellence: Our Success Stories

High-Speed Patrol and Search & Rescue Crafts

Canadian shipyards have seen great success in designing and building high-speed patrol and search & rescue crafts. Canadian jet boat designs have been selected by a variety of police forces, fire forces, coast guards and navies worldwide, including the U.S. Navy. Canadian shipyards have been recognized for their expertise in this field, winning several prestigious design and industry awards for excellence in design and construction.

Sophisticated Tugboat Production

The Canadian shipbuilding industry has become a global leader in tugboat production, particularly the production of Anchor Handling Tugs, built for harsh environments. Since the 1990s, Canadian shipyards have secured major international contracts, without the use of subsidies. These include projects for the Panama Canal Authority, a variety of international companies and several governments worldwide, with vessels currently operating in several diverse locales, such as the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

 

State-of-the-Art Fishing Boats, Pleasure Yachts and Catamarans

Canadian shipyards are international leaders in building state-of-the-art fishing boats, pleasure yachts and catamarans. Combining old techniques with the latest trends and technologies, the Canadian industry has carved out a strong niche for itself and won awards in the process.

Cruise Ship Repair Services

Canadian cruise ship services are customized to exceed the demands of the industry. The industry's modern west coast facilities provide the highest quality cruise ship repair services in North America. Emergency repairs are available 24 hours a day, at anchor, at berth or while underway.

The Mobile Offshore Drilling Industry

Canada's east coast shipyards are world leaders in the production of topsides for the Mobile Offshore Drilling industry. With their close proximity to, and participation in, large-scale offshore developments on the East Coast of Canada, including Hibernia, White Rose and Terra Nova, Canadian shipyards are in the middle of the action — experienced and ready to serve.