FRPD is Canada’s largest dredging, marine and heavy civil construction contractor, with over a century of industry leadership.

Seaspan: Outfitting Pier Dredging & Construction

FRPD was contracted by Vancouver Shipyards to construct a new outfitting pier at the Seaspan facilities in North Vancouver. The pier was designed to moor two new vessels under construction and expand Vancouver Shipyard’s production capacity. Completed in 2025, the project was delivered on time and on budget, marking a significant achievement both nationally and within the shipbuilding industry.

Problem

Vancouver Shipyards required modern mooring infrastructure to support new vessel construction and future production growth. The existing pier was outdated, structurally insufficient and unable to meet operational demands. The site also contained contaminated marine sediments that required careful removal and upland disposal under strict environmental standards.

Solution

FRPD delivered a complete marine infrastructure upgrade, including demolition, dredging, piling, precast installation and concrete construction. The team also supported pier design by providing constructability input that reduced risk and improved installation efficiency. The new outfitting pier now provides reliable mooring capacity, improved operational efficiency and long-term support for Canada’s growing shipbuilding industry.

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Key Facts
  • Dredging and upland disposal of 8,000 m³ of contaminated sediments
  • Demolition of the existing pier structure
  • Installation of 140 piles, averaging 220 ft, using vibratory and impact driving
  • Procurement and installation of 250+ precast elements (girders, fenders, etc.) totaling 8,000 tonnes
  • Supply and placement of 4,000 m³ of cast-in-place concrete for pile caps and deck construction
  • Installation of mooring devices, bollards, fenders, and all electrical and mechanical systems required for full pier operation

FRPD also engineered concrete block-outs for utility pathways along the entire pier length, ensuring conflict-free installation of mechanical and electrical services. To maintain the schedule, FRPD deployed additional crews, accelerated procurement and worked night shifts to meet the vessel delivery timeline.