Ensuring the safety of Canada’s non-combatant Navy fleet

News Release

June 28, 2017 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Government is focused on ensuring our public dollars go farther and are used smarter, as we make investments to create middle class jobs today and sustainable economic growth for years to come.

To this end, Canada has awarded a contract to ABS Americas in Houston, Texas, following a competitive process, to ensure that environmental standards are met onboard the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) non-combatant fleet and that the ships continue to be safe to operate.

This contract is valued at approximately $12.2 million for the first five years, with four additional five-year options for a potential contract length of 25 years. Eighty per cent of all work under this contract is required to be conducted in Canada and will provide well paid middle-class jobs for Canadians.

Through this monitoring and reporting work, the Department of National Defence will enhance the safety of non-combatant vessels, such as the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, the Joint Support Ships and the Maritime Coastal Defence vessels and adopt a worldwide industry best practice.

Canada’s new Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, is committed to ensuring the health and safety of Defence personnel and Canadians, protecting the environment, and sustainably managing Defence operations.

Quotes

“Canada is a maritime nation and has the longest coastline of any nation on earth. Ensuring our non-combatant vessels are safe to operate and comply with environmental standards means that the Canadian Armed Forces can continue protecting the sovereignty of Canadian waters and taking on the maritime challenges of the 21st century while enhancing personnel safety and environmental protection.”

Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister

Quick Facts

  • In May 2015, DND developed a framework to introduce naval classification and certification for ship safety to the Navy’s combat ships. Under this framework similar services will be provided to the remaining RCN fleet of non-combatant ships including the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, Joint Support Ships, Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels, Orca-class Patrol Craft training vessels, selected Auxiliaries, and smaller vessels.

  • The RCN is adopting a marine industry best practice to continue to assure its non-combatant vessels are compliant with environmental standards.

  • As stated in Canada’s Defence Policy, DND aims to modernize its “business of defence” to maximize operational output and ensure that every defence dollar is put to the best use in achieving its objectives.

Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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