(NEWS RELEASE) — VICTORIA – BC Ferries and Point Hope Maritime Ltd. announced today they have entered into a five-year supply agreement for scheduled dry-docking, maintenance, repair or refit requirements, as well as emergency dry-docking services, for eight of BC Ferries’ minor vessels.
This agreement supports BC Ferries’ goal to continue its practice of investing in B.C.-based marine services. Over the past 10 years, BC Ferries spent approximately $1 billion at local shipyards on dry-dockings and refits, repairs, mid-life upgrades and life-extension projects. BC Ferries also provides work for other local shipyards including: 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.”
This is a strategic partnership for the maintenance of BC Ferries’ smaller vessels. BC Ferries is planning approximately 20 scheduled dry-dockings for the 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-docking 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.
“BC Ferries has been an important and valued Point Hope client for many years. This five year partnership will allow for operational and fiscal efficiencies that result from the certainty of establishing a scheduled service,” said Ian Maxwell, President and CEO Ralmax Group of Companies, owners of Point Hope Maritime. “We are proud to be recognized for the quality of work that our employees deliver, and welcome this strategic alliance that brings with it many benefits for the Capital Region.” More than 650 businesses – the majority of them local – provide regular subcontracting and supplier services to Point Hope Maritime throughout the year.
Modernization and expansion at Point Hope over the past decade has resulted in a substantial, competitive dry-dock operation on Victoria Harbour, where four fully serviced spurlines can accommodate up to six vessels in the yard and additional vessels can be moored and serviced afloat. Up to 200 skilled trades, staff and contractors are employed at Point Hope delivering professional ship repair and maintenance services.
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