The CEO of BC Ferries, Nicolas Jimenez, is shedding light on the challenges and requirements for constructing future vessels within Canada rather than outsourcing overseas to countries like China.
In a recent announcement, BC Ferries revealed that it had selected China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards to construct four new key vessels following a lengthy procurement process that did not include any Canadian bids.
Securing a $1 billion loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank was crucial to finalizing the deal, with the bank emphasizing that the new ferries would likely not have been acquired without this financial backing.
As discussions heat up ahead of a federal summit focusing on ferry and rail transportation, Jimenez reiterated the company’s lack of Canadian options in the recent procurement process.
Jimenez highlighted the importance of attracting bids from Canadian companies, emphasizing the need for domestic partners to demonstrate the capacity, skilled labor force, and reliability to fulfill fixed-price contracts on schedule while meeting quality standards. He stressed the necessity for a competitive and inclusive procurement process that also considers international alternatives.
Looking ahead, Jimenez acknowledged the growing need for additional vessels over the coming decade, recognizing that BC Ferries alone cannot sustain Canada’s shipbuilding and steel industries. He called for government support to facilitate training, bolster the local workforce, and strengthen the supply chain.
The CEO emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach involving government and industry partners to pave the way for Canadian companies to participate in future procurement opportunities.