By David Dunlop, 27 August 2022
Because of delays of the Protecteur-class Joint Support Ship (JSS) project, the Canadian government is forking over another $187 million for the 'rental' of MV Asterix, the interim support ship for the RCN. The government has signed an extension of another two years from Davie shipyard. The new extension adds another two years to the current five-year, $691-million leasing agreement. The government hopes that will allow enough time to get the first permanent joint support ship in the water. The 2-year extension brings the total coast of this rental to $878 million CAD for the use of the MV Asterix. At those costs Canada could have bought the ship outright. See below from The Canadian Press: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/shipbuilding-delays-force-ottawa-to-spend-187m-to-extend-lease-on-navy-supply-ship/ar-AA1194lZ
7 thoughts on “An Extension for MV Asterix”
Federal Fleet took the RCN to the proverbial cleaners on this lease arrangement. Everything not covered under the lease costs the RCN money and that’s being reflected in the money the RCN is paying for ‘extras’. That being said, the idea to purchase this ship is not a good one as the RCN would inherit an orphan floating gas tank that is vastly inferior to the JSS. The maintenance costs alone for this ship which is not new would take up the dwindling resources needed to keep the fleet maintained. Even if it’s another two years it’s well worth the money until we can bid farewell to this interim measure which was the intent all along.
Hello Ted. Agree with most of what you have said, however if Canada does not acquire/build a third JSS, we will have to keep this “rental boon-doggle” for another few years with scarce tax payer dollars as it is now. And the Canadian people will not like that!
We actually don’t. I predict we will bid farewell to Asterix and Federal Fleet when our first of 2 JSS becomes operational. There will be no buying Asterix’s sistership or keeping Asterix. We went a significant amount of time with 2 AORs and will do so again.
So you predict that we will carry on as before with Canada signing contracts with other countries to provide their tankers to keep our ships filled with gas? With just one JSS available, that’s exactly what will happen. At least with leasing MV Asterix, we will not have to do that.
Should build the third JSS HMCS Provider and transfer the Polar Icebreaker project wholly to Davie. Keep Asterix around until the second JSS is accepted
Hello Wayne. What you say makes a lot of good sense, but we all know some just will not accept that. Thanks for your input.
The comment “Federal Fleet took the RCN to the proverbial cleaners on this lease arrangement” falls in the category of welcome to life in the Offshore. It is impossible to be charitable when it comes to the progress of JSS. As for Asterix, well a ship that has a fast container ship hull, and can operate in ice because of its double hull if we choose … what is not to admire? Asterix came together like a WW2 liberty ship and above all is a reliable ship so there are a lot of lessons here.
As for Davie and Icebreakers, hats off! The towing winch on CCGS Capt Molly Kool turned heads in its first winter. Instead of towing from the stern capstun like one the CCG Icebreakers would have had to do, the Molly towed with its North Sea towing winch, shades of Foundation Josephine!