ABS Bags Fleetwide Contract with Canadian Coast Guard

The Canadian Coast Guard has awarded a contract to ABS to provide classification and certification services for an existing fleet of 114 vessels and future vessel acquisitions.

“Last year, ABS was selected as the exclusive classification organization for all non-combatant vessels in service with the Royal Canadian Navy and now, we are expanding our class and certification services to the entire Canadian Coast Guard fleet,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki.

Vessel types covered under the agreement include patrol vessels, research and survey vessels, icebreakers, search and rescue lifeboats, multi-task vessels and other specialty vessels.

As part of the deal, ABS will assist the Canadian Coast Guard in transitioning its currently classed vessels to ABS class and will begin implementing certification and verification services on the remaining fleet.

ABS said it will survey the Canadian Coast Guard vessels under the Delegation of Statutory Inspection Program (DSIP) to verify compliance with the Canada Shipping Act and its regulations, and issue all vessels the required Canadian Maritime documents under the authority of the Minister of Transport.

“The Canadian Coast Guard is a world-class leader in environmental stewardship and marine safety,” said The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “This contract helps streamline our vessel inspection and certification, supporting the Government of Canada’s commitment to preserving the high level of service Canadians have come to expect from our Coast Guard.”