Canadian Vickers Shipyards Ltd.
- Shipyards
Canadian Vickers Shipyards Ltd. was a prominent Canadian shipbuilding company based in Montreal, Quebec. It was a subsidiary of the British engineering conglomerate Vickers Limited. The company played a significant role in Canadian maritime history, particularly during the early to mid-20th century.
Here are some key points about Canadian Vickers Shipyards Ltd.:
History and Formation
- Founded: The company was established in 1911 when Vickers Limited set up operations in Canada to expand its global reach.
- Location: The shipyard was located in the east end of Montreal, an area that offered easy access to the St. Lawrence River, facilitating maritime operations.
Key Activities
- Shipbuilding: Canadian Vickers was primarily involved in constructing a wide range of vessels, including military ships, merchant ships, ferries, and icebreakers.
- Military Contributions: During World War I and World War II, the shipyard was heavily involved in building naval and merchant ships for the war effort. This included corvettes, minesweepers, and other vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy.
- Aircraft Manufacturing: The company also diversified into aircraft manufacturing in the early 20th century. It produced notable models such as the Vickers Vedette, a single-engine, Canadian-designed flying boat, and other aircraft suitable for Canada's vast and often remote territories.
Notable Projects
- Icebreakers: Canadian Vickers built some of Canada's most famous icebreakers, including the CCGS Pierre Radisson, which continues to be part of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet.
- Golden Age of Shipbuilding: The shipyard produced a considerable number of merchant ships, tankers, and other vessels during the peak years of Canadian shipbuilding from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Decline and Closure
- Post-War Era: After World War II, the demand for shipbuilding decreased significantly. Technological advancements and globalization also contributed to a changing industry landscape.
- Closure: Canadian Vickers Shipyards Ltd. struggled to adapt to these changes and eventually ceased operations in 1944. However, shipbuilding activities in the region persisted under different management and ownership for several decades.
Legacy
- Historical Impact: Canadian Vickers made substantial contributions to Canada's maritime and industrial heritage. The ships and aircraft built by the company had a lasting impact on the country's naval capabilities and aeronautics industry.
- Heritage Recognition: While the original shipyard is no longer in operation, its contributions are remembered and recognized in various maritime museums and historical records in Canada.
Canadian Vickers Shipyards Ltd. remains a notable chapter in Canadian industrial and maritime history, exemplifying the country's shipbuilding prowess during the first half of the 20th century.
Ships
LOUIS S. ST. LAURENT
Ice Breaker | Flag: Canada | Port: OTTAWA, ON
Maritime News
Grimaldi Takes Delivery of Second Ammonia-Ready Car Carrier
Italian shipping firm Grimaldi Group has welcomed the second ammonia-ready pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), Grande Tianjin, from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC).The delivery of a 9,000-car capacity PTCT built for Grimaldi Group also marks SWS's 600th vessel or offshore platform since its inaugural delivery, the 150,000-ton Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit Hai Yang Shi You 111, in 2003.The Grande Tianjin is compatible with electric vehicles, conventional fuel cars, and heavy ro-ro cargo.
World’s First Green Ammonia Bunkering Operation Completed in Dalian
Sinobunker, one of COSCO Shipping’s subsidiaries, has completed the world’s first green ammonia bunkering operation at COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry’s Dalian terminal.The ammonia was sourced from the world’s largest green hydrogen and ammonia plant established by Envision in Chifeng and powered entirely by the world’s largest independent renewable energy system.The plant integrates wind, solar and energy storage with proprietary hydrogen and ammonia production technologies. It is powered by a proprietary AI-integrated off-grid renewable system, featuring advanced wind turbines, grid-forming battery storage and predictive meteorological modeling.
Inadequate Design, Certification and Maintenance Led to Titan Disaster
The catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible that killed five people in 2023 could have been prevented, a U.S. Coast Guard investigative board found on Tuesday, calling the vessel’s safety culture and operational practices “critically flawed.”The Titan vanished during a descent to the Titanic wreck on a tourist expedition, losing contact with its support ship.After a tense four-day search, its shattered remains were discovered strewn across the seabed 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the bow of the legendary ocean liner that sank in 1912, claiming more than 1,500 lives.OceanGate, the U.S.-based company that managed the tourist submersible, suspended all operations after the incident.
Australia Chooses Japanese Frigate Design
The Australian Government is accelerating the delivery of a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet with the selection of the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s future fleet of general purpose frigates.Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-class frigate was assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).The upgraded Mogami-class frigate boasts a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, a 32 Cell Vertical Launch System, and is fitted with surface-to-air missiles and anti-ship missiles.
Ports Urge Congress to Reverse Infrastructure Funding Cuts
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and a broad coalition of every donor and energy transfer port have sent the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the Energy and Water Development Subcommittees leaders a letter, urging them to reverse a funding diversion and restore critical support for ports through the FY2026 appropriations process.Without restoration of Section 102 and 2106 funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), the U.S. port system will lose over $1 billion in direct investment during the remainder of the Trump administration – undermining national security, supply chain resilience, and energy exports, says AAPA.