Ocean research to boom with shipbuilding contract
Posted Oct 21, 2011 05:49:56 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
One of the anticipated spinoffs of the multi-billion-dollar federal shipbuilding contract awarded to the Irving Shipyard could be a significant investment in research and technology in Nova Scotia.
The Halifax Marine Research Institute’s scientific director said the province is in a good position to build a legacy of ocean research.
“You can exploit it of course, and should exploit it responsibly and sustainable,” Doug Wallace told News 95.7. “We’ve got to know what’s there, first of all. Whatever we do in the ocean it’s a very dangerous place. There are safety and risk issues as well.”
A federally-appointed panel has awarded a $25 billion contract to build navy combat vessels to Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax.
The contract is expected to create 11,500 jobs in the shipbuilding industry over 30 years.
Wallace said the contract will also invite highly skilled workers, trained in various professions to the area, and he suggested they will stay in the area until after the contract is complete.
One of those areas of expertise could be in oceanology and marine science.
Wallace said ocean technology is a broad field which includes researching ways to build more-environmentally-friendly ships, safer ships, more efficient and cost-effective ships, and environmental factors.
“Weather forecasting, or forecasting of wind and wave conditions, there are a whole range of activities which Atlantic Canada and Nova Scotia are tremendously good at.”
The institute has a new set of programs to enhance commercialization and attract new business to the region.
