Halifax-class maintenance supports more than 400 jobs at Halifax Shipyard

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Aug. 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montreal, arrived at Halifax Shipyard yesterday for a 53-week docking work period (DWP) that includes routine maintenance and upgrades to ensure the ships longevity.

More than 400 Halifax Shipyard employees will work on HMCS Montreal DWP, including apprentice and journeyperson crane operators, electricians, engine fitters, ironworkers, joiners/stagers, labourers, material handlers, pipefitters, riggers, and welders, who are members of Unifor Local 1.

HMCS Montreal is the third consecutive Halifax-class frigate from the Navy’s east coast fleet to enter the Halifax Shipyard’s graving dock for a DWP since 2016. HMCS Fredericton is in the final weeks of a DWP, returning to the Royal Canadian Navy in October 2018, and HMCS Halifax DWP took place from October 2016 to September 2017.

“Our shipbuilders know the Halifax-class better than any other shipbuilders and we are proud to continue our legacy as the Halifax-class in-service support centre of excellence,” said Kevin McCoy, President of Irving Shipbuilding.

Prior to the DWPs, all seven of the Royal Canadian Navy’s east coast Halifax-class frigates completed mid-life overhauls at the Halifax Shipyard as part of the Government of Canada’s Halifax-class modernization program.

All seven frigates overhauled at the Halifax Shipyard between 2010 and 2016—Halifax, Fredericton, Montreal, Charlottetown, St. John’s, Ville de Quebec, and Toronto—were completed on schedule and under budget.

In addition to its Halifax-class ship maintenance work, Halifax Shipyard is building six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) and 15 Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) over the next 25 years as part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The first AOPS, the future HMCS Harry DeWolf, is scheduled to be launched in September 2018.

About Irving Shipbuilding Inc.

Irving Shipbuilding Inc., Canada’s National Shipbuilder, is the most modern shipbuilder and in-service ship support provider in North America. Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, our skilled team and innovative facilities provide efficient building, fabrication, conversion and servicing of vessels and offshore platforms. As Canada’s chosen shipbuilder, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is working with the Royal Canadian Navy on the next class of Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) and Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) vessels under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). We are proud to continue our long history as a trusted partner in Canadian shipbuilding. Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is a member of the J.D. Irving, Limited group of companies, a diverse family owned company with operations in Canada and the United States. Learn more at www.IrvingShipbuilding.com or www.ShipsforCanada.ca.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

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CONTACT: Media Contact:

Sean Lewis
Director of Communications
Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
Office: 902-484-4595
Mobile: 902-240-6964
Email: [email protected]