Provincial Investment Paying Off for Shelburne

Published by the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Employment is up and projects are rolling at the modernized and refurbished Shelburne Ship Repair after investments from the province and Irving Shipbuilding Inc. The facility is again repairing ships and employs 75 people, 35 more than before the work started. Employment at Shelburne Ship Repair generates provincial tax revenue, which helps fund many services Nova Scotians depend on.

Quotes

“ This is a wonderful example of how provincial investments are making lives better for Nova Scotians. The province's investments help make companies more globally competitive, innovative, productive and, ultimately, create good jobs for Nova Scotians so they can stay and raise families at home. ” Percy Paris, Economic and Rural Development Minister

“ Investments by the province and Irving Shipbuilding enabled this facility to attract new opportunities at a very exciting time for the industry. Shelburne Ship Repair is now seeing more repeat business from satisfied customers, and that speaks volumes about the quality of work by the skilled men and women at the yard. ” Steve Durrell, president Irving Shipbuilding

“ Our ships resupply cargo to communities and mines up in the Canadian Arctic. We have to have absolute faith in our ships as there isn't any support available where we go. The Shelburne Ship Repair team provided excellent service for the vessels, and were able to support all the additional metal and mechanical tasks that came up as part of our five-year special survey. ” Georges Tousignant, vice-president operations, Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping Inc.

“ Having an active and successful marine sector in Shelburne is very important for the stability of our economy. These long-term jobs have made a difference for families here, and I know many people are excited about the prosperity this is bringing to our community. ” Sherman Embree, Municipality of Shelburne Warden

Quick Facts

  • In January 2010, the province invested $8.8 million in Irving Shipbuilding's $16.6-million project to upgrade the marine railway and wharf, and build a new cradle.
  • Since August 2011, Shelburne Ship Repair has won 16 contracts from 10 different customers. Two of those contracts this spring were to complete repairs on cargo vessels MV Umiavut and MV Avataq, owned by Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping.
  • Shelburne Ship Repair can work on vessels up to 229 metres long, and the new marine railway is capable of lifting two vessels weighing up to 4,200 tonnes each.
  • The shipyard's latest contract is to repair HMCS Shawinigan, which will keep workers busy into November.
  • More than $80 million in revenue has been generated for the province by interest on Jobs Fund, IEF, and NSBI investments in the last seven years.

Learn More

Media Contacts

Toby Koffman
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism
902-424-4482
E-mail:
Deborah Hashey
Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
902-484-4552
Email:

Images

An aerial view of the Shelburne Shipyards.
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Shelburne Shipyard employees work underneath a vessel.
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Workers lift part of a propeller into place.
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A ship sits in dry dock at Shelburne Shipyards as it is being repaired.
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Audio

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris talks about the success of the Shelburne investment.
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris says the investment shows confidence in the people of Shelburne.