International marine transportation and support services provider Bridgemans Services Group announced last week that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with the Haisla Nation.
Making the announcement from the company’s Langley, B.C., office on Monday, December 10, BSG president Brian Grange said the Bridgemans Kitamaat Joint Venture would provide marine transportation solutions and support services in the Douglas Channel and Kitimat region.
“The Bridgemans Kitamaat Joint Venture will help to stimulate growth opportunities in the community and provide specific marine based employment for its members for decades to come,” said Grange.
He said BSG has had a long history of doing business with First Nations, especially the Haisla Nation.
In 2014 BSG was contracted by Bechtel to provide accommodation for 450 additional workers during Rio Tinto Alcan’s Kitimat Modernization Project.
Bechtel’s workers were accommodated aboard the Silja Festival, a cruise ferry Bridgemans bought and converted to a 750-room “floatel”.
“Our goals are always to provide training and advancement in marine career opportunities and expand our fleet on the Douglas Channel,” said Grange.
Haisla Nation chief councillor Crystal Smith said the council is extremely proud of the joint venture agreement.
“We currently have a strong contingency of Haisla members working on the water with Bridgemans and integrating with local project proponents,” said Smith.
“As industry ramps up in 2019, the business activity in our traditional territory will dramatically increase.
The Douglas Channel is our home and being a part of the ongoing marine-based services and management of our waters is of great importance to our membership.”
Bridgemans Services Group globally provides full-service floatel and marine transport solutions, including logistics, crew transfers, housekeeping, catering and the fulfillment of all Health, Safety and Environment (HSE )requirements.
The company also specializes in refitting and refurbishing vessels to fulfill requirements in a range of sectors from major construction projects to natural resources and energy production.