Brian Carter News

Mark Lamarre, who most recently served as CEO of Australian Shipbuilding Company (ASC), has been named CEO of Seaspan Shipyards effective immediately. Lamarre succeeds Brian Carter, who stepped down to pursue other opportunities.Lamarre’s appointment follows recent Seaspan Shipyards additions to the senior leadership team, including Jari Anttila (previously with Philly Shipyard Inc. and Meyer Turku in Finland) as COO and Christof Brass (previously with Airbus Group SAS) as CFO.Lamarre is an experienced shipbuilding executive with more 30 years of experience in operations…

Canada’s shipbuilding and ship repair company Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan), joined by representatives from industry and government,  celebrated the start of construction on the first Joint Support Ship (JSS) for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The steel cutting ceremony held at Vancouver Shipyards is a significant milestone for Seaspan, the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) and Canada’s shipbuilding industry. With the start of construction on JSS, Seaspan is leading the way in rebuilding Canada’s shipbuilding industry. In addition, start of construction ensures that Seaspan will see the continued growth of Vancouver Shipyards’ workforce while mitigating any possible downturn in production.

Canadian shipbuilder Seaspan Shipyards together with the Government of Canada announced that work will begin soon on the Joint Support Ships (JSS) for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).These purpose-built vessels are being constructed as part of a strategic partnership between the Government of Canada and Seaspan under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). The vessels will meet the nation’s domestic and international obligations and will fully meet the operational needs of the RCN.“Seaspan Shipyards is a proud partner to the Government of Canada under the National Shipbuilding Strategy…

Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyards (VSL) celebrated the handover of Her Majesty’s New Zealand Ship (HMNZS) Te Kaha at a ceremony in Victoria, BC. The handover ceremony marks the transfer of care of HMNZS Te Kaha from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) to Lockheed Martin Canada (NYSE:LMT) and VSL. Today’s event follows last month’s formal announcement that VSL had been awarded work on the Frigate Systems Upgrade for the RNZN’s ANZAC class frigates as a subcontractor for Lockheed Martin Canada. “Being awarded this project demonstrates Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyards’ capabilities as a leader in ship repair in North America,” said Brian Carter, President & CEO of Seaspan Shipyards.

Seaspan Shipyards officially opened its new 7,800 square meter office at the foot of Pemberton Avenue on the south western spit of the property near Seaspan’s current offices in North Vancouver, B.C. The new building, which provides space for approximately 390 employees, will serve primarily as a collaborative space for Vancouver Shipyards to execute preproduction work as a strategic partner to the Government of Canada under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Seaspan Shipyards…

Seaspan Shipyards demonstrates its capabilities with liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel engine conversions in the wake of a major project milestone. Victoria Shipyards (VSL) was selected by TOTE Maritime Alaska to carry out the yard production work and docking necessary for the conversion of their two TOTE Orca class vessels to dual-fuel systems, a process which is being carried out in four phases and will enable the two ships to use LNG as fuel. The ‘North Star’, the first of the two 839-foot-long roll-on, roll-off cargo ships which carry cargo between Anchorage, Alaska, and Tacoma, Washington, arrived at VSL in December, 2017 kicking off the process of converting the diesel engines to dual-fuel systems.

Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has appointed Christof Brass as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Christof brings over 20 years of experience successfully delivering large, complex programs for multinational companies. With an extensive back-ground in strategic financial planning and analysis, Christof will help drive the continued success and improvement of Seaspan. “As a leader with experience in transforming international finance teams, Christof has all of the skills that we were looking for to lead the financial components of our business,” said Brian Carter, President and CEO – Seaspan Shipyards. Christof is a highly accomplished finance executive who will provide the leadership and guidance necessary to build a strong, integrated and efficient finance team.

Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has celebrated the launch of the first large vessel to be designed and built under the Government of Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) - OFSV1, the first of three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV). In 2011, the Government of Canada competitively selected Seaspan to be its Non-Combat Shipbuilder as part of the NSS program. Under the NSS, Seaspan will build and deliver non-combat vessels at the company's state-of-the-art facility in North Vancouver for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and Royal Canadian Navy. OFSV1 is the first large vessel to be designed, built and launched under the NSS. It represents an important milestone in Seaspan's long-term strategic relationship with the Government of Canada.

On behalf of its Board of Directors, Seaspan ULC (Seaspan) announced today that long-serving Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jonathan Whitworth, will be retiring at the end of 2017. Jonathan announced to the Board in 2016 his timeline to retirement. A search for his successor immediately commenced and Seaspan is also pleased to announce that Frank Butzelaar, President and CEO of a related company, Southern Rail Link (SRY), has been identified as Jonathan’s permanent replacement effective April 3, 2017. Frank’s transition will commence on March 3 and he will continue to work closely with Jonathan throughout 2017 to ensure a smooth handover.

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards has appointed Tony Tinto to Vice President, Planning & Estimating. Tony joined Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) in 2006 as a Project Manager, before moving over to affiliate company Vancouver Drydock in 2007 in a similar capacity. In 2012, Tony returned to VSY as Director, Planning & Production Control, and was appointed to the role of interim Vice President, Planning & Estimating in November 2016. Prior to his arrival at Seaspan in 2006, Tony worked as a Design & Engineering Manager for Westbay SonShip & Yachts. As part of the Seaspan Shipyards senior leadership team, Tony is responsible for providing leadership and direction on network planning, detail planning and production control, as well as estimating for new ship construction.

More than 100 people representing over 70 companies attended Seaspan Shipyards’ second annual Atlantic Canada Industry Day hosted in Halifax today. During the session, attendees received an update on Seaspan’s progress on its National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) Non-Combat package of vessels and associated supply chain opportunities. “Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Seaspan has embarked on many years of sustained shipbuilding on the West Coast that is already delivering results to Canada, its taxpayers and the overall Canadian economy,” said Brian Carter, President – Seaspan Shipyards. “We are progressing well on the construction of the first two of three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard with the third one to begin later this year.

In response to the Government of Canada’s announcement of a series of enhancements to strengthen the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Seaspan Shipyards’ president Brian Carter issued a statement commending the government’s efforts and reinforcing the shipbuilder’s role in producing ships for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy. “We are pleased to receive the Government of Canada’s support for the National Shipbuilding Strategy, and applaud its commitment to continuous improvement,” Carter said.

Seaspan Shipyards, announced today the start of construction on Seaspan’s second National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) ship, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)’s second Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV). “Seaspan is now full-steam ahead on the production and delivery of its first two National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) vessels, and we are re-writing shipbuilding history in Canada in the process for generations to come,” said Brian Carter. With production of the second OFSV now underway, significant progress continues on the first OFSV with 35 of 37 blocks currently under construction. The two CCG ships are part of VSY’s three vessel, incentive-based build contract for the construction of three OFSVs, which will be delivered under a ceiling price contract before the end of 2017.

Seaspan Celebrates Signing of Contracts for Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel and Joint Support Ships. The Honourable Judy M. Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, announced today the signing of two new contracts valued at more than $65.4 million with Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) Non-Combat package. The long lead item contracts will help pave the way for future construction of the Canadian Coast Guard’s…

The University of British Columbia announced it will receive a $2 million investment from Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) over the next seven years to support innovative teaching and research in the naval architecture and marine engineering programs at the UBC faculty of applied science. As a result, two new UBC chair positions will be created, one in naval architecture and one in marine systems engineering, both of which are expected to be recruited this summer. “UBC is western North America’s only academic institution offering graduate programs in naval architecture and marine engineering,” said UBC Interim President Martha Piper. This multi-million dollar investment is a result of Seaspan’s Value Proposition obligations under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS).

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, joined by Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver and John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, announced that Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) has started construction on the first National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) ship, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)’s Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV). It was also announced that the first ship will be named CCGS Sir John Franklin in honour of a British Royal Navy officer and explorer of the Arctic. Found in September 2014, Franklin’s ships are an important part of Canadian history given that his expeditions…

BC Ferries unveiled the name of its newest vessel and first-ever cable ferry, Baynes Sound Connector, at an official naming ceremony at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards in North Vancouver on 9th May. The 78.5 metre ferry – named after the channel it will regularly cross – is scheduled to enter service later this summer, and accommodate up to 50 vehicles and 150 passengers while operating between Buckley Bay and Denman Island. Using one drive cable and two guide cables, Baynes Sound Connector, will also be one of the longest cable ferries in the world, traversing a distance of approximately 1900 metres, and capable of speeds of up to 8.5 knots.

Seaspan Shipyard’s long-standing relationship with the Canadian Coast Guard was proudly showcased in recent days, with simultaneous repair and maintenance work on Coast Guard vessels at all three of the company’s shipyards – Vancouver Drydock, Vancouver Shipyards and Victoria Shipyards. “The role we play as an essential service provider to the Canadian Coast Guard is one that we take great pride in,” said Brian Carter, President, Seaspan Shipyards. In North Vancouver, Vancouver Drydock completed regular maintenance last week on the JP Tully, a 69 metre long Ice Class Oceanographic Survey Vessel, including overhauls to the tail-shaft and thrusters, hull preparation, paint and tank blasting, and re-coating.

Today, Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards officially celebrated the completion of its two-year, $170M Shipyard Modernization Project ahead of schedule and under-budget. Funded entirely by Seaspan, this project has transformed Vancouver Shipyards into the most modern facility in North America that will establish a shipbuilding and ship repair centre of excellence on the West Coast, and allow for the effective and efficient delivery of Non-Combat vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy. “Today is a celebration for Seaspan, and words cannot express how proud I am of the incredible transformation of Vancouver Shipyards,” said Jonathan Whitworth – CEO, Seaspan.

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards has started construction on two initial blocks for the first National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) ship, the Canadian Coast Guard’s Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV), the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, announced. “We are thrilled to begin initial block construction on the OFSV and are grateful that Minister Finley is here to celebrate this milestone moment with us," said Brian Carter, President – Seaspan Shipyards.

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) announced today it has officially started construction on a new Cable Ferry for BC Ferries. The 78.5 meter ferry, slated for delivery in Spring 2015, will accommodate up to 50 vehicles and 150 passengers, while servicing the Buckley Bay to Denman Island route. This newbuild will engage all VSY unions, including Marine and Shipbuilders Local 506, International Association of Machinists Lodge 692, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 213…

After several months of anticipation and preparation, and the careful consideration of hundreds of student submissions, Seaspan officially revealed the name of its newly assembled, 300-tonne gantry crane at a boisterous unveiling ceremony at Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) today. Announcing the crane’s new name - Hiyí Skwáyel, the Squamish language translation of “Big Blue” (pronounced hee-yay sk-why-el) – was the final step in an extensive evaluation process that began with a two-week long “Crane Naming Contest” with North Vancouver School District students, from March 3 – 14.

From March 3-14, 2014, Seaspan is calling on all Grades 4-7 students in NVSD, to put their thinking caps on, come up with their one best idea in two words or less, and help cement their spot in the history of Vancouver Shipyards. “The arrival of our new 300-metric-ton Gantry Crane marks a major milestone in Seaspan’s Shipyard Modernization Project and the future of the North Vancouver community as a whole,” said Brian Carter, President of Seaspan Shipyards. More than 4,400 students…