#shipyard

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Less than ten employees have voluntarily chosen to take longer vacations at the Forillon Shipyard in Gaspé due to circumstances beyond their control, according to company management.
Rumours were circulating in the community that there would be several job losses over a longer period of time at the shipyard located near Sandy Beach wharf.

The shipyard is currently in a transition period. The Canadian Coast Guard’s 10-boat search and rescue contract is nearing completion, with the Baie-de-Gaspé scheduled for delivery in October to the port of Rivière-au-Renard. At the same time, construction is set to begin on the first hybrid diesel-electric semi-offshore fisheries research vessel for the Coast Guard—a $55.5 million contract awarded in fall 2023.

Combined, these two contracts represent $157 million in orders, securing the shipyard’s place among the major players in small- and medium-sized vessel construction.

Without giving an official interview, President and chief executive officer Jean-David Samuel explains that the engineering component of the semi-offshore contract took longer than expected, which disrupted the construction schedule.

Faced with this situation, the shipyard suggested that employees take extended vacations this summer using employment insurance. Less than ten of the facility’s hundred or so workers accepted the proposal, which is not a layoff, insists Mr. Samuel.

Other employees remain on site, performing alternate tasks while awaiting the delivery of steel, expected in August, which will kick off assembly of the new vessel.

Looking ahead, the shipyard anticipates needing about 15 additional workers this fall, driven by this major contract and a growing order book. Several bids for new shipbuilding projects have already been submitted.

Meanwhile, the Bouchard Shipyard, acquired by Forillon last September, is operating at full capacity in Rivière-au-Renard.