The German shipbuilding company TKMS is intensifying its cooperation with the Canadian industry. Following an agreement with Seaspan Shipyards, the defense company EllisDon is now following suit.
Both partners have signed a strategic cooperation agreement focusing on the Canadian Submarine Program (CPSP). Initially, the companies plan to work together to identify, develop and ultimately implement opportunities for collaboration in the maintenance, repair and associated infrastructure of submarines in Canada.
“We are proud to work with EllisDon to develop a collaborative approach that supports Canada’s submarine ambitions,” said Thomas Keupp, Chief Sales Officer at TKMS. “TKMS brings decades of experience and deep expertise in submarine infrastructure requirements. Together with our partners, we want to develop concepts that fully meet Canada’s operational and regulatory expectations.”
The agreed cooperation is intended to make a “significant contribution” to CPSP, but also reflects the joint commitment to creating skilled employment opportunities, increasing Canada’s national value creation and promoting long-term economic benefits for the country.
Joint contribution to Canada’s CPSP submarine program
“EllisDon is honored to partner with TKMS on an initiative of such national significance,” said Chris Lane, Senior Vice President at EllisDon. “With our expertise in adapting complex, mission-critical infrastructure to Canadian standards, we want to help develop a sustainable, future-ready solution that will provide long-term value to the Canadian submarine program.”
Under the CPSP, TKMS would provide the entire infrastructure concept for the maintenance and repair of the submarine fleet, as well as the associated training facilities for personnel. “Based on decades of experience and in cooperation with Norwegian partners, TKMS intends to tailor such a comprehensive concept to Canada’s specific requirements,” the company said.
EllisDon, founded in 1951, is one of the largest building services companies in Canada and a major defense infrastructure contractor. In the planned collaboration with TKMS, EllisDon will assume overall responsibility for ensuring that the design and constructability of the TKMS infrastructure solution meets Canada’s expectations and applicable requirements for the program. EllisDon will also ensure that the delivery of the infrastructure is in line with the overall budget and schedule.
Recently, TKMS has already entered into a collaboration with Canadian shipbuilding company Seaspan Shipyards. The two companies will work together with the Canadian Navy and the Canadian Department of Defense to build a Canadian-led integrated sustainability team.
