Canadian Technology Takes (enter Stage
The Canadian maritime market, like that of many countries around the world, is in the midst of sweeping changes designed to keep its members internationally competitive.
Indicative of this trend was the announcement last month of the formation of Consolidated Marine Inc.
Consolidated Marine draws together selected Irving-based companies involved in shipbuilding, offshore fabrication, ship repair, engineering and quality services to provide one-stop shipping for clients with large and small projects.
The companies affiliated with Consolidated Marine include: Saint John Shipbuilding Ltd.; Halifax Shipyard Ltd.; Dartmouth Marine Slips; East Isle Shipyard Ltd.; Fleetway Inc.; and Atlantic Quality & Technical Services Ltd. As its name might suggest, Consolidated Marine Inc.'s product line is varied, including semisubmersible and jack-up rigs; topside fabrication/modules; AHTS/PS vessels; tugs and barges; containerships; product carriers; and drill ships.
CSL Embarks On Landmark Job Of course, the big news from Canada The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has five aluminum patrol catamarans in use which feature the interior joinery constructed with Balteck DecoLite lightweight panes and Formica skins for weight reductionlast month which provided Canadian shipbuilding with a more than $70-million injection was Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) Inc.'s decision to embark on a major fleet revitalization program. CSL awarded the technically challenging, $70.9-million contract to Canadian Shipbuilding & Engineering Ltd. (CSE) for the construction of up to five new forebodies for its existing fleet of Great Lakes vessels.
This ship-rebuilding project involves constructing a complete new forward end of each vessel, from forward of the engine room to the bow, and joining the existing aft-end, which includes the engine room and accommodation block.
The vessels will be constructed at the CSE shipyard, Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catharines, Ont.
All five vessels in the CSL fleet renewal program are 730 ft. (222.5 m) long (overall), with a beam of 76 ft. (23.1 m).
As part of the restructuring program, the self-unloaders will be extended to 740 ft. (225.5 m) long and 78 ft. (23.8 m) wide.
It's Showtime A pair of prestigious events highlighting Canada's importance to the international maritime market are set for later this year. Canadian companies of all types including vessel designers, builders, owner/operators and outfitters hold a prominent place in the maritime world, renowned for an innovative spirit and a knack for devising . and implementing innovative solutions to some of the industry's more vexing challenges. Mari-Tech '98 The 1998 Mari-Tech Conference and Exhibition is slated for June 17-19 at the refurbished Citadel Inn in Ottawa.
The technical sessions, which will occupy the afternoon of the 18th and all of the 19th, are themed "Partnership in Support of the Fleet." A full-roster of leading industry executives will be on-hand to offer technical presentations to attendees. In addition, the conference booklet will be distributed to all delegates, advertisers, academic institutions, suppliers and decision makers in the marine engineering, shipbuilding and ship repair industries.
For additional information on the event, contact: J.Y. (Jim) Clarke, Conference Chairman, 2320 Alta Vista Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K1H 7M7; tel: (613) 521- 4657.
High Speed Vessel Conference In early June, marine engineers and suppliers will gather in Victoria, B.C. to hear colleages from around the globe discuss the problems and solutions in the building and running of high speed vessels.
Scheduled for June 4-6, the High Speed Vessel Conference from the The Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering will feature a host of notable speakers such as Robert Clifford of Incat (Australia); David Norlander of ABB Stal (Sweden); Carrol Oats of Detroit Diesel Gas Turbines (U.S.); and Rob Morrow, who will speak on behalf of the revolutionary fuel cells from Ballard Fuel Systems.
The speaking card will be filled with other notable executives from Kvaerner Masa Marine, Washington State Ferries; J.J. McMullen; Mitsui Zosen; and Caterpillar.
For additional information, contact Michael W. Weaver at tel: (250) 381-1401, ext. 1313; fax: (250) 388-7481.
