Groupe Océan has acquired the Verreault shipyard, located in the municipality of Les Méchins, in Gaspésie.
This was announced by the company on Wednesday after several persistent rumors surrounding this possible takeover.
“Combining our expertise with that of the Verreault shipyard embodies our desire to increase our service offering for the benefit of our customers,” said Jacques Tanguay, President and CEO of Groupe Océan, in a press release.
This transaction will ensure the sustainability of the Verreault shipyard and continue its growth. The site includes a dry dock 244 meters long by 56 meters wide as well as two tugs from Verreault which will be added to the Groupe Océan fleet.
“The best way to envisage the future and the sustainability of our company was certainly to join Groupe Océan,” rejoiced Richard Beaupré, president and chief operating officer of the Verreault shipyard.
The yard was founded in 1956 to specialize in ship repair and transformation.
Groupe Océan is thus expanding its presence in Quebec with this new acquisition after taking over the Île-aux-Coudres site on the north shore of the St. Lawrence.
This expansion will allow it to carry out new large-scale projects, such as those coming from the federal National Shipbuilding Strategy.