HALIFAX – Canada’s future Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessels could soon have a new home.
The Department of National Defence (DND) recently released details about a proposed custom jetty to reshape the CFB Halifax dockyard. An advance procurement notice states the proposed “Jetty NJ” would be approximately 247 metres long and would extend 29 metres into the harbour in 12 metre deep water.
The construction project could cost an estimated $75 million.
The proposed jetty could be the new home for the yet to be constructed vessels outlined in the $25 billion shipbuilding contract, awarded in 2010.
A diagram included in a Royal Canadian Navy presentation seems to indicate the new jetty could accommodate four ships.
Details about the jetty are included in an advance notice for prospective bidders to acquire security clearance ahead of the tender process.
The project would require dredging the harbour floor to access solid rock onto which the jetty’s supports would be attached.
The upgrades are in preparation for the new Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessels. Construction has yet to begin, however the Irving Shipyard has undergone a $330 million infrastructure upgrade.
However, earlier this year, Irving officials confirmed the construction schedule is on track and that steel for the new ships will be cut starting September 2015.
Contractors interested in bidding on any future jetty construction tender have until Dec. 20 to submit their security clearance application.
The official tender outlining the work could be published as early as next year, although it still hinges on further DND approvals.
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