Revitalizing British Columbia’s Maritime Sector

Nov 20, 2024

The B.C. Maritime Industries Infrastructure Modernization and Expansion Grant Program

The maritime industry in British Columbia has long been a cornerstone of the province’s economy, and the ongoing implementation of the B.C. Maritime Industries Infrastructure Modernization and Expansion Grant Program administered by the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI) is set to enhance its future potential.

ABCMI embarked on the critical task of assessing the state of the province’s industrial marine sector in 2019. This initiative included the commissioning of an Economic Impact Analysis and Subsector Assessment Study, conducted by KPMG, which identified that British Columbia’s marine infrastructure was inadequate to meet the growing demand for ship maintenance, repair, refit and small vessel construction. In particular, the study highlighted the scarcity of dry docks and the lack of working wharfage.  Given the increase in marine traffic from the Pacific Rim and along Canada’s west coast, the marine infrastructure limitations presented a challenge to capitalizing on new opportunities within the sector.

In response, the BC Government in partnership with ABCMI, crafted the BC Maritime Industries Strategy, officially released in May 2023. This comprehensive strategy identified key pathways for growth, including the need to expand maritime infrastructure.  Accordingly, the BC Government followed through on the strategy with the $25 million BC Maritime Industries Infrastructure Modernization and Expansion Grant that is aligned with the Stronger BC Economic Plan, creating economic and environmental benefits of clean and inclusive growth, and the Clean BC Roadmap to 2030, meeting legislated emissions reduction targets.

The grant funding is allocated through two capital investment streams:

Stream 1: Provides 50% of project capital costs, up to $500,000, for equipment and facility modernization support for boat and shipyards or new small vessel construction.

Stream 2: Offers 25% of project capital costs, up to $5 million, for increased lift and wharfage capacity for boat and ship overhaul, refit, maintenance, and repair infrastructure.

Today, we are seeing the tangible results of this grant program. From enhancing dry dock capacity to expanding ship and boat yard facilities, these projects are positioning British Columbia’s marine sector to meet current demands and capitalize on future opportunities. The grant program has allowed 41 diverse maritime companies to modernize their operations, expand their capabilities and capacities, and ultimately contribute to the province’s economic growth.

These 41 companies are spread across BC’s economic regions, with 16 companies located in the Lower Mainland/Southwest, 20 on Vancouver Island and Central Coast, 2 in the Thompson/Okanagan, 2 on the North Coast, and 1 in the Kootenay region. This widespread impact demonstrates the program’s reach, supporting growth in key maritime hubs while also benefiting smaller, more remote regions of the province.

The following companies were beneficiaries of funding through Stream 1 of the program:

  • Campbell River Marine Terminal Ltd. (Campbell River) will expand its boatyard, increasing vessel placements and enhancing productivity to improve service quality and reduce its carbon footprint.
  • Titan Boats Ltd. (Sidney) will add 4,800 square feet to its fabrication and welding shop, nearly doubling output to meet rising demand for aluminum RHIBs from Canadian and international markets.
  • Liquid Metal Marine Ltd. (Sidney) will upgrade its facilities and acquire modern equipment to enhance capabilities and better respond to client needs.
  • KingFisher Boats Inc. (Vernon) will modernize its manufacturing process to increase throughput and quality, addressing unmet market demand.
  • EagleCraft Boats Inc. (Campbell River) will expand its manufacturing space and procure equipment to improve vessel construction and attract new business opportunities.
  • JR Marine Manufacturing Ltd. (North Saanich) will upgrade equipment to enhance speed, functionality, and quality, including new welding units and training.
  • COTA Aviation Ltd. (Parksville) will modernize facilities and acquire advanced equipment to strengthen its role as an indigenous player in BC’s marine industry, focusing on small vessel maintenance and repair.
  • Zodiac Hurricane Technologies Inc. (Delta) will modernize its facility to streamline the painting process for RIBs, significantly reducing painting time.
  • Jastram Engineering Ltd. (North Vancouver) will invest in CNC equipment to enhance production capacity and maintain competitiveness.
  • Tyee Pacific Marine Operations Ltd. (Richmond) will upgrade its marine docking facility, providing services for medium to small marine cargo operators.
  • Open Ocean Robotics Inc. (Victoria) will expand its manufacturing capacity for Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs), increasing production from two to eight per month.
  • Platinum Marine Group Ltd. (Richmond) will increase production capacity by transforming outdoor space into climate-controlled work areas, optimizing workflow efficiency.
  • Ideal Welders Ltd. (Delta) will implement a state-of-the-art robotic welding system to enhance its pipe spool welding services.
  • Van Isle Marina Co. Ltd. (Sidney) will complete significant repairs to its boat ramp, enhancing its ability to haul and launch boats. This project is expected to boost revenue and competitiveness, positioning the marina as a leader in boatyard repair, maintenance, and storage for local and international vessels.
  • Ocean Performance Technologies Inc. (North Saanich) will expand and enhance its equipment to provide modernized services, solidifying its position as a leader in clean marine propulsion systems while supporting innovative designs and job growth.
  • Vector Yacht Services Ltd. (Sidney) will construct a new facility and acquire a hydraulic trailer, enabling the company to bid on larger jobs and expand its capacity to work on boats by approximately 50%.
  • Arrow Marine Services Ltd. (Richmond) will construct a new onsite machine shop and upgrade its hydro-electric capacity to meet the growing demands of the marine services industry and customer projects.
  • Shelter Island Marina Inc. (Richmond) will implement a project to install a variable-width travelift, allowing the boatyard to handle vessels of various sizes safely and efficiently.
  • Ripple Rock Repairs Ltd. (Campbell River) will construct a new welding shop to support increased capacity for vessel and heavy equipment repairs and maintenance.
  • Bridgeview Marine Ltd. (Prince Rupert) will build a facility to haul out vessels for annual maintenance and major refits in Prince Rupert, addressing limited access to water for launching and retrieval.
  • Reed Point Marina Ltd. and CT Inlet Marine Repairs Inc. (Port Moody) will upgrade their Port Moody facility by installing a new variable-width marine travelift and upgrading the wastewater treatment system to manage environmental impacts.
  • Interior Marine Construction Ltd. and Leopold Developments Ltd. (Scotch Creek) will reconstruct their manufacturing facility lost in the 2023 wildfires, enabling a 30% increase in production and attracting larger stakeholders in the marine industry.
  • GCRD Holdings Ltd. doing business as Jack’s Boat Yard (Lund) will replace aging machinery with a more efficient self-propelled trailer, increasing storage and workspace capacity by over 50%.
  • Ocean Pacific Marine Supply Ltd. (Campbell River) will develop additional land to be leased from the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, expanding its boatyard footprint by approximately 40%.
  • West Coast Launch Shipyard Ltd. (Prince Rupert) will build a drive-down ramp and dock facility with upgraded power for servicing vessels in Prince Rupert, becoming the only marine shipyard for maintenance in the area.
  • Bracewell Marine Group Ltd. (Richmond) will enhance marine fabrication capabilities and increase capacity for building both conventional and electric marine vessels.
  • Shearwater Resort LLP (Denny Island) will initiate shipyard improvements and purchase equipment to enhance daily operations and expand offerings as an Indigenous-owned business.
  • Victoria Shipyards Co. Ltd. (Victoria) will invest in additional equipment to expand its pipe spool and metal parts manufacturing capacity, supporting the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) new build program.
  • D.C.D. Pile Driving (1990) Ltd. (Campbell River) will develop a work platform to service multiple dry docks simultaneously, expanding their maintenance and repair capabilities and enabling vessel deconstruction, improving service efficiency.
  • Bracewell Marine Group Ltd. (Richmond) will acquire advanced 5-axis CNC cutting technology to increase efficiency and reduce costs in their boat building and marine fabrication operations.
  • Drop Marine Inc. (South Slocan) will expand their manufacturing space, reducing reliance on subcontractors and boosting production capacity to meet growing demand, support sales, and create skilled jobs.
  • Ideal Welders Ltd. (Delta) will modernize their infrastructure by integrating PipeCloud software into marine operations, enhancing efficiency and product quality for pipe spool fabrication, allowing them to bid for National Shipbuilding Strategy projects.
  • Monaro Marine Ltd. (Delta) will set up a covered work area to expand usable boatyard space, improving operational efficiency and creating more job opportunities.
  • Philbrooks Boatyard Ltd. (Sidney) will upgrade their metal fabrication shop with new equipment and facility improvements, increasing productivity, reducing rework, and enhancing overall quality to meet client expectations.
  • SAAM Towage Canada Inc. (Vancouver) will overhaul their maintenance and repairs facility to accommodate battery-electric tugboats at the Port of Vancouver, reducing maintenance costs and supporting decarbonization efforts.
  • Strait Marine Ltd. (Richmond) will enhance their marine repair facility by building a sheltered all-season work bay and upgrading heating, ventilation, and filtration systems, enabling year-round specialized work.
  • Walker Aluminum Boats Ltd. (Coombs) will acquire modern equipment and upgrade electrical infrastructure to scale production, allowing them to build and market eco-friendly boats across Canada and North America.

The following companies were beneficiaries of funding through Stream 2 of the program:

  • Ocean Pacific Marine Supply Ltd. (Campbell River) will expand its shipyard capacity by acquiring a travelift, significantly increasing lifting capacity and enabling larger vessel access.
  • Canadian Maritime Engineering Ltd. (Port Alberni) will construct a new vessel lift and shipyard operation to address capacity constraints and improve service efficiency.
  • Meridian Marine Industries Inc. (Delta) will modify a deck barge to serve as a floating docking facility, enhancing capabilities for small to medium vessels and commercial barges.
  • Vancouver Drydock Co. Ltd. (North Vancouver) will undergo a major expansion to meet market demand, including upgrades to existing facilities and the addition of new drydock capabilities.

As the maritime industry continues to evolve, the B.C. Maritime Industries Infrastructure Modernization and Expansion Grant Program stands as a testament to the province’s commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and sustainability within the sector. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, Brenda Bailey, encapsulated this vision, stating, “We are taking action to support our province’s maritime industry, the largest nationwide, to help it continue to diversify and grow in the years to come.”

As British Columbia charts its course towards a sustainable and competitive maritime future, the collaborative efforts between government, industry, and communities will undoubtedly create lasting impacts for generations to come.