B.C. ferry replacement process a missed opportunity for local shipbuilding, says Seaspan [Video]

British Columbia is missing the boat on advancing its home-grown shipbuilding sector, says the province’s industry giant.

BC Ferries has launched its bidding process to replace seven major vessels in two phases, but Seaspan says the process leaves little room for B.C.’s maritime sector.

The company says bidders won’t receive incentives to include B.C. or Canadian content, making it impossible to compete with other low-wage countries.

“What it needs is a strategic decision, which can only be made by the B.C. government … to decide to build in B.C. and then reap all the economic benefits and innovation benefits and supply chain benefits and other strategic benefits that arise from building here in B.C.,” said Seaspan spokesperson Dave Hargreaves.

BC Ferries said the bidding process is open to all prequalified shipyards, and that it is premature to speculate where the vessels will be built.

However, it noted that cost will be an important factor …