A ship repair company in St. John’s is contemplating a significant upgrade that could amount to around $300 million, allowing the firm to handle larger vessels. Sean Leet, the managing director of Newdock, disclosed to CBC News that the proposed redevelopment project focuses on replacing the graving dock in St. John’s harbor, implementing a new ship lift system, and modernizing the company’s facilities.
Leet emphasized the necessity for this upgrade due to the increasing size and width of ships, which the current graving dock cannot adequately accommodate. While the final investment decision is still pending approval by the company’s board in the upcoming spring, Leet anticipates that the project will span slightly over two years upon commencement.
The introduction of a new ship lift system is crucial for Newdock’s operations, as the company has encountered limitations in servicing larger ships in recent years, leading to missed opportunities. Leet highlighted the example of the Horizon Arctic, a 23-meter beam ship that had to seek dry docking in Denmark due to size constraints at Newdock’s current facility.
Moreover, Leet pointed out that Canadian Coast Guard vessels are also growing in size, underscoring the importance of the proposed ship lift system to cater to these larger vessels and potentially secure additional defense work. The expansion initiative aligns with a broader initiative to enhance Canada’s sovereignty, particularly in the Arctic region, and support the construction of more vessels in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Despite initial considerations for modernization in 2020 under previous ownership, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted business operations. The new ship lift system, capable of accommodating 28,000 tons and multiple vessels simultaneously, represents a substantial upgrade from the existing system limited to 4,000 tons. Leet projected that once operational, this system would be the largest in the Western Hemisphere.
The modernization efforts are expected to create job opportunities, with Newdock planning to hire an additional 220 workers in various trades and expand its workforce by more than double through the recruitment of additional staff and management positions.
