Build / Support / Sustain

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Hello all,

Welcome to another edition of On Watch. Here in the nation’s capital we went from freezing rain storms to summer-like weather in the course of a week. With the nice weather here now, all those projects that folks were describing to me at MariTech kick into high gear – it will be a busy summer for our members!

In this edition we are pleased to feature Katherine Schmidt, Head of Electrification, Automation and Digitalization at Siemens Electric, a talented, trilingual engineer who is part of the movement to help our sector decarbonize. Given the clear government direction towards a green and sustainable future, it is encouraging to see many of our members already contributing to making it happen in the maritime environment. We are very pleased to highlight the many innovations of our members in On Watch. If you are not yet a member, but would like to be, we encourage you to join here! If you know of others who might benefit from membership, please share the sign-up link.

As you may have noticed, our job board is now self-serve and far less expensive! You are now able to post opportunities online without having to coordinate it with anyone. And due to that change, we are now able to reduce the cost to $49 per job per month for members and $99 for non-members. Please give it a try and let us know of any feedback. We are here to help. You will find the link here.

If you are reading this for the first time thanks to it being passed along to you, you are welcome to sign up for future editions here –  it’s free and we never share your emails with anyone. We publish our newsletter every two weeks and bring you news, procurement opportunities and features that pertain to our sector. Please take note of our Job Board and a) take advantage of it if your company has an opening and b) send links to friends and family so that we can attract new people into our sector. We all need the help!  

Finally, if you would like to provide us with feedback and input into items you would like to see covered in this newsletter, or if you would like us to create a unique member spotlight of your company, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Colin Cooke

President and CEO

Photo of Katherine Schmidt, Courtesy of Siemens Energy

Global energy pioneer Siemens Energy is bringing its vast experience to Canada through a specialized business unit in the marine world.   With a strong commitment to be a partner in decarbonization, Siemens Energy solutions help cut down greenhouse gas emissions by delivering advanced electrical equipment, systems, solutions and services for commercial and naval vessels and submarines, including Canadian navy and coast guard large vessel projects. Siemens Energy leverages field services all over the world through a global network of subsidiaries that can provide maintenance and support when vessels need it the most. In effect, leverage centres of expertise.

As Katherine Schmidt, Head of Electrification, Automation and Digitalization at Siemens Energy explains, “We are all about integration, from underwater propulsion systems all the way up to the deck.” With a unique range of products, and a long history of electrification – Siemens electrified the first ferry in the 1800s! – Siemens Energy is helping develop this capacity in Canada. As was evident in the federal government’s recent Budget 2023, clean technologies including electrification are vital to building Canada’s clean economy and play a transformative role in fighting climate change. The Canadian government’s investments and funding mechanisms are putting Canada in a good position, from Katherine’s perspective, and in a world of growing global expertise Canada is on the map.

Decarbonization, as Katherine explains, is a journey, and there is no cookie cutter approach. Siemens Energy helps owners adapt vessels to reduce energy consumption, use different fuels, introduce batteries, and a variety of other measures to find that “sweet point of a solution.” At the same time, Siemens Energy also designs for modularity, with a building block approach so that vessels can incorporate components as needed. With the ambitious Canadian 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, Siemens Energy is seeing a lot more demand through all the incentives to decarbonize. These incentives include carbon tax systems, and as Katherine describes it, “decarbonization is no longer a nice to have, and we are helping operators find the right solutions at all price points.”

A mechanical engineer herself, Katherine developed that “spark” for engineering as a child and finds the work at Siemens Energy very engaging and motivating. She brings a passion for decarbonization to her work and enjoys the atmosphere at Siemens Energy where she can continue to learn by working on new and innovative projects. Being part of the revival of the naval industry in Canada is exciting, and she sees many job opportunities for young people. Finding and attracting new people, particularly women, is a challenge in many industries, but especially in the marine sector. Katherine sees the need to develop the next generation of workers and knows that recruitment should begin in high schools. It is important to let young people know that working on Canada’s naval projects offers careers that can be enjoyed from “starting as an intern until you retire.” Companies like Siemens Energy can offer a diverse set of people satisfying and exciting careers where young people will have the opportunity to make a change for the future.

As a new member of the Canadian Marine Industries and Shipbuilding Association, the networking that the association fosters is something that Katherine values. It gives her the opportunity to understand better the range of links to partners, customers and suppliers in companies of all sizes, including Indigenous suppliers, throughout the Canadian marine sector. A strong sector committed to decarbonization will help develop a new generation of diverse Canadian workers.

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