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Irving Shipbuilding Inc. has awarded Nova Scotia-based Mobile Valve an $8.9-million contract to support construction of Canada's future River-class destroyer (RCD) fleet, reinforcing a long-standing partnership that is creating skilled jobs, strengthening local supply chains and advancing Canada's domestic shipbuilding capability.

Under the contract, Mobile Valve will source specialized valve products and components from around the world for a wide range of critical systems aboard the RCD, including aircraft tie-down systems, firefighting equipment and other essential shipboard systems. Final quality assurance, kitting and delivery preparation will be completed by the company's team in Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia, before the equipment is delivered to Irving Shipbuilding's Halifax Shipyard.

Founded in 1969, Mobile Valve has grown from a family-owned business into a leading provider of specialized valve supply, repair and testing services. This latest contract builds on the company's ongoing work supporting the RCD program, bringing the total value of contracts awarded for the first three shipsets to more than $16.5 million.

The award also strengthens a partnership spanning more than a decade, during which Mobile Valve has supported Irving Shipbuilding's construction of Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships for both the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard, and now Canada's future RCD fleet.

Through Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy, investments like this are helping grow Nova Scotia's industrial base, creating highly skilled employment and building the long-term capabilities needed to support the Royal Canadian Navy for decades to come. Since the National Shipbuilding Strategy began, more than $4 billion in economic benefits have been generated across Nova Scotia.

Today, approximately half of Mobile Valve's 30 employees support Irving Shipbuilding programs. The company's growing relationship with the shipyard has directly resulted in 10 new positions across procurement, warehousing, logistics, quality assurance and shop operations, enabling the company to expand its expertise while investing in local talent.

“We’re honoured to continue our work on the River-class destroyer fleet in support of the Royal Canadian Navy,” said Katie Vacheresse, Procurement Manager, Mobile Valve. "Our partnership with Irving Shipbuilding has created long-term stability that has allowed us to grow our business, invest in our workforce and build specialized capabilities here in Nova Scotia. This relationship has been built on a simple promise: if you need it, we will find it – no requirement is too large or too small. We're proud to play a role in delivering Canada's future naval fleet."

The RCD will replace Canada’s Halifax-class frigates and form the backbone of the Royal Canadian Navy’s combat capability. As one of the largest and most complex shipbuilding initiatives in Canada’s history, the program is driving long-term economic growth and industrial development across the country.

“We’re proud to grow our partnership with a deep-rooted, local Nova Scotia business like Mobile Valve,’ said Lee Fromson, Vice President, Supply Chain and Quality, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. “Contracts like this demonstrate how the National Shipbuilding Strategy creates lasting economic benefits by enabling local companies to grow, hire skilled workers and develop specialized capabilities that support Canada's future naval fleet."