Work on the modernization of Canadian Navy’s CFB Esquimalt dockyard waterfront is making progress with a new contract award for one of two jetties that are to be upgraded.
The existing “A” and “B” jetties are over 70 years old and need to be replaced.
They were originally designed for ships that were smaller and lighter than today’s modern Canadian Patrol Frigates. As such, they are not long enough or deep enough to accommodate modern ships.
Pomerleau Inc. received a $55.45 million contract for the demolition of the existing “B” Jetty at Her Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard Esquimalt and preparing the site for future rebuilding work.
Once the “B” Jetty is demolished, its rebuilding will begin. “A” jetty will start the same process once the “B” jetty is operational.
The goal of the A/B jetty recapitalization project is to complete the new “B” jetty portion of the integrated berthing facility by 2021 and to have the new “A” jetty in operational service by 2024.
The demolition, dredging and construction activities will be phased to ensure that one of the two jetties is available to berth ships of the Royal Canadian Navy at all times during the construction period.
The ongoing project at Her Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard Esquimalt provides the Royal Canadian Navy’s Pacific Fleet with docking facilities which will be functionally optimal for the berthing of Canada’s modern frigates and for newly designed vessels joining the fleet between 2018 and the mid-2040s.
“This major infrastructure project has reached another important milestone with the awarding of the “B” Jetty Site Preparation contract to Pomerleau Inc,” Canadian defence minister Harjit S. Sajjan said.
“The outdated jetties have served the Royal Canadian Navy well for over 70 years, but they are now well past their intended service life. The two new state-of-the-art jetties will greatly improve the ship-docking infrastructure for Canada’s naval vessels at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt.”
The new jetty facilities will be longer and more versatile. New cranes will enable the loading and unloading of modern ships, to be delivered by Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy to the Royal Canadian Navy over the next 30 years.
According to Royal Canadian Navy, a total of $781 million will be invested in the CFB Esquimalt A/B jetty recapitalization.