WASHINGTON — Canada has chosen Seaspan Corporation to produce Queenston-class joint support ships at the company's Vancouver shipyard.
The support ships are set to replace the auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels currently in service with Canada's Navy, according to United Press International. The project's budget is estimated to be $1.7 billion.
Seaspan will provide production and engineering services support through the contract. Canada is currently planning to build two of the ships as a part of its National Shipbuilding Strategy and is considering building a third.
The two vessels, HMCS Queenston and HMCS Châteauguay, are expected to be delivered in 2021 and 2022.
Seaspan was awarded the contract after reviewing designs by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Canada.
Once delivered, the new support ships will be used to provide limited sealift capabilities, offshore operations support and core replenishment duties.
