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(Halifax, NS) – The first two mega-blocks for the future HMCS Max Bernays were safely and successfully transferred from the Halifax Shipyard Assembly Hall to land level dockside in preparation for final assembly and launch later this year as part of Canada’s combat ship package under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. Halifax Shipyard is the most modern and largest indoor shipbuilding facility in North America.

The mega-blocks were moved in two stages using self-propelled modular transporters with 128 axels. The move of the 2,900 tonne centre mega-block took place on Friday, January 22, 2021, followed by the move of the 1,600 tonne stern mega-block on Saturday, January 23, 2021.

Features of the centre mega-block include the engine rooms, hangar, auxiliary machinery rooms, bridge, masts, accommodation spaces and mess. Features of the stern mega-block include the rudder, propulsion shaft, heavy lift cranes, flight deck, auxiliary machinery rooms and vehicle storage.

The installation of the rudder, propulsion shaft and blades (propellers) were completed indoors, a first for the AOPS program. Irving Shipbuilding President Kevin McCoy said this latest achievement is another example of the great progress of Canada’s combat ship program.

“Our 2,100 shipbuilders are really hitting their stride for this new class of ship for the Royal Canadian Navy, as this third ship is 50% more complete than the first ship at the same stage,” said McCoy. “With ship 1 delivered, ship 2 already in the water, ship 3 at land level, ship 4 under construction in the Assembly Hall and first steel for ship 5 in the coming weeks, we are very well positioned for AOPS 7 & 8 for the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Surface Combatant program that will give Canada’s navy the most advanced and sophisticated combat ship in their history.”

Joining of the centre and stern mega-blocks is now underway with a team of welders, fitters and steelworkers, as well as a support team that includes Accuracy Control, Programs, Quality Control and Engineering. The mega-blocks were aligned using laser technology bringing the giant pieces together with less than 2mm separation when the move was completed. The bow mega-block is under construction and will be brought to land level later this spring for the final assembly.

“It takes a country to build these great ships for Canada’s Navy. To date $2.58 billion has been spent on business services and investments in the AOPS program with a coast-to-coast-to-coast supply chain of 317 businesses across Canada,” said McCoy.

Halifax Shipyard is building six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships for the Royal Canadian Navy, to be followed by two AOPS variants for the Canadian Coast Guard and 15 Canadian Surface Combatants for the Royal Canadian Navy under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

About Irving Shipbuilding

Irving Shipbuilding Inc., Canada’s National Shipbuilder, is the most modern shipbuilder and in-service ship support provider in North America. Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, our skilled team and innovative facilities provide efficient building, fabrication, conversion and servicing of vessels and offshore platforms. Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is the prime contractor and shipbuilder for the Royal Canadian Navy’s next class of Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) and Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). We are proud to continue our long history as a trusted partner in Canadian shipbuilding. Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is a member of the J.D. Irving, Limited group of companies, a diverse family-owned company with operations in Canada and the United States.