Halifax, NS, Canada, April 28, 2016– Today Fleetway and Irving Shipbuilding announced a $15 million contract to Halifax-based company Bluedrop Training & Simulation for the design of the training and simulation software for the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) vessels under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.
To date, over $1 billion in AOPS contracts have been delivered to over 190 Canadian companies creating jobs and economic impact across Canada, including over $405 million in contracts to Nova Scotia companies. The AOPS vessels, currently under construction at the Halifax Shipyard, are the first ships to be built under the combat vessels package of the shipbuilding contract.
“This contract with Bluedrop provides a significant investment in Nova Scotia, creating jobs and economic spin off in the province,” said Kevin McCoy, President of Irving Shipbuilding. “By investing here at home, Irving Shipbuilding can help ensure Canadian companies who are engaged in the shipbuilding industry remain competitive for years to come.”
Bluedrop is a 100% Canadian owned small business with over 35 years of experience working with Canada’s Armed Forces. Their Halifax based facility, with its unique proximity to the Royal Canadian Navy and military bases, as well as universities, make it an ideal location for collaboration, field-testing and industry validation.
Currently, Bluedrop’s Halifax office has 25 full and part-time employees dedicated to work on the AOPS project, including eight positions that were created as a direct result of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) contract.
“Bluedrop is proud to be a part of this important project for Canada,” said Jean-Claude Siew, Vice-President, Technology and Simulation with Bluedrop Training & Simulation. “Our state-of-the-art virtual training and simulation centre here in Halifax is the only facility of its kind in Canada and will ensure our Navy has access to leading edge training technologies to prepare and train the future fleet.”
The NSS is designed to create a future of certainty for Canada’s shipbuilding industry and the companies that support it. Over the life of the shipbuilding contract, Irving Shipbuilding is committed to investing in the greater marine industry across Canada to develop and grow National industry standards and capacity.
More information on contracts awarded to date can be found at www.shipsforcanada.ca
About Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc.
Bluedrop helps civilian and military personnel around the world perform at their highest possible level through the design and development of advanced courseware and state-of-the-art training technologies. The Training & Simulation division meets the demands of today’s industry – providing blended training solutions from the classroom through to simulated virtual environments aimed at improving safety, productivity and efficiency. We boast a dynamic team of instructional systems designers, systems engineers, programmers, simulation developers, graphic designers and technical illustrators. We also employ leading subject matter experts in the Air Force, Army, and Naval domains who understand the complexities of delivering highly effective operational training. Bluedrop offers customized support at our state-of-the-art virtual Training and Simulation Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the only facility of its kind in the country.
About Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) is part of the J.D. Irving, Limited Group of companies which includes operations in Agriculture, Construction & Equipment, Consumer Products, Energy, Food, Forestry & Forestry Products, Retail & Distribution and Shipbuilding & Industrial Fabrication. ISI’s primary site is Halifax Shipyard, with four other locations in the Maritime Provinces. ISI was selected in 2011 as Canada’s Combatant Shipbuilder under the merit-based National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and is in the early stages of a 30-year military shipbuilding program.
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