Seaspan and Stantec celebrate completion of outfitting pier for Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy
Seaspan Unveils New Outfitting Pier for Navy Ships
Seaspan Shipyards, in collaboration with Stantec, has proudly announced the completion of a state-of-the-art outfitting pier at its Vancouver Shipyards facility. Spanning 272 meters by 19 meters, this new pier is specifically designed to accommodate large navy and coast guard vessels. Currently, it is being utilized for the outfitting of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Joint Support Ship, HMCS Protecteur, marking a significant advancement in Canada’s shipbuilding capabilities.
Modern Infrastructure for Enhanced Shipbuilding
The newly constructed outfitting pier replaces a timber structure that had been in use since 1966. Built from steel and concrete, it features modern utilities and a heavy load capacity, ensuring it meets the rigorous demands of contemporary ship outfitting operations. The design incorporates environmental safeguards and is engineered to withstand future challenges, including rising sea levels, extreme storm surges, and seismic hazards, particularly in one of Canada’s most seismically active regions.
Julianne Nezgoda, Director of Facilities at Seaspan Shipyards, emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “The new outfitting pier at Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards reflects our continued investment in the future and longevity of shipbuilding in British Columbia.” She noted that the pier enhances Seaspan’s capacity to effectively design, build, and deliver ships, thereby supporting the Royal Canadian Navy and Coast Guard in fulfilling their critical missions.
Kip Skabar, Canada Ports and Marine sector leader at Stantec, described the pier’s completion as a major milestone for shipbuilding in Western Canada. He highlighted the increasing demand for waterfront infrastructure across Canada’s coasts and expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to design facilities that bolster national interests. The pier is equipped to support integrated tower cranes and specialized shipyard equipment, ensuring it can adapt to various ship requirements and outfitting needs.
Supporting Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy
Seaspan was designated as the non-combat shipbuilder for the Government of Canada under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) in 2011. This strategy aims to revitalize the Royal Canadian Navy and Coast Guard fleets. The outfitting pier project began in 2020 with environmental reviews, followed by construction that commenced in 2023. Stantec played a crucial role in delivering multidisciplinary design and supporting the project throughout its lifecycle.
Significant investments in shipbuilding and port infrastructure are evident on Canada’s west coast, with approximately $10.25 billion in contracts awarded to Pacific-area companies under the NSS. Seaspan has modernized its shipyard and developed a skilled workforce, enabling it to construct complex vessels. To date, the company has launched five ships under the NSS and is currently working on the Canadian Coast Guard’s new heavy polar icebreaker, the largest vessel in their fleet.
According to an economic analysis by Deloitte, Seaspan has contributed over $5.7 billion to Canada’s GDP since 2012 and has created or sustained more than 7,000 jobs annually, solidifying its role as a key player in the Canadian economy.
Expanding Canada’s Port Infrastructure
Canada is actively enhancing its port infrastructure to improve trade capacity and efficiency. Upgraded facilities are being designed to handle a diverse range of commodities, support economic growth, and safeguard Canadian sovereignty. In the past five years, Stantec has completed over 100 projects for Canadian port and marine facilities, encompassing planning, engineering, permitting, and environmental science.
Among the significant projects underway are the Robert Banks Terminal 2 at the Port of Vancouver, LNG Canada in Kitimat, and the B Jetty Replacement at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. Seaspan continues to lead in ship design, engineering, and repair, employing around 4,300 skilled workers across its North Vancouver and Victoria locations. The company remains a trusted partner for both government and private sector projects, contributing to the advancement of Canada’s maritime capabilities.
