Yard to provide scheduled and emergency dry dock, repair, refit and maintenance services for eight ferries
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Point Hope Maritime is to provide scheduled and emergency dry dock, repair, refit and maintenance services for eight of BC Ferries’ minor vessels over the next five years.
Canadian operator BC Ferries is planning around 20 scheduled dry dock projects for its minor vessels over the next five years, and will contribute millions of dollars in supporting local employment and services. The agreement also allows for emergency dry dock space if required. The vessels that will be serviced at Point Hope Maritime under the agreement include Kahloke, Klitsa, Kuper, Kwuna, Nicola, Nimpkish, Tachek and Quadra Queen II.
Located in Victoria Harbour, Point Hope can accommodate up to six vessels in the yard, while additional vessels can be moored and serviced afloat.
“BC Ferries has been an important and valued Point Hope client for many years,” said Ian Maxwell, president and CEO of Ralmax Group of Companies, owners of Point Hope Maritime. “This five-year partnership will allow for operational and fiscal efficiencies that result from the certainty of establishing a scheduled service. We are proud to be recognised for the quality of work that our employees deliver, and welcome this strategic alliance that brings with it many benefits for the capital region.”
The new agreement is part of the Canadian ferry operator’s goal to continue its practice of investing in British Columbia-based marine services. Over the past 10 years, BC Ferries spent approximately $1 billion at local shipyards on dry docks, refits, repairs, mid-life upgrades and life-extension projects. These include Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Dry Dock, Esquimalt Drydock Company, the Esquimalt Graving Dock, and Allied Shipbuilders.
“We are pleased to solidify an arrangement as our docking partner for our minor vessels with Point Hope Maritime, which has strong capabilities in safety, engineering, planning, project management procurement and quality control,” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries’ vice president of engineering. “Access to a local, secure supply of services is crucial for the reliability of our fleet, and therefore essential to the communities we serve.”