A German industrial giant is seeking a sit-down with B.C.’s premier as it fights to win more than $20 billion in contracts to supply submarines for the federal government.

In a recent B.C. lobbying registration, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) said it wants to set up a meeting between B.C. Premier David Eby and senior company executives, who plan to visit the province next month.

The company is currently competing with a South Korean firm for a federal contract that would see the winner build up to 12 high-tech submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy at an initial procurement cost of more than $20 billion.

The long-term value of that contract could be much higher, though, because of maintenance costs for the submarines, which are part of Canada’s efforts to beef up its navy and military presence in the Arctic.

Andrew Bernardo, a lobbyist with TKMS, said the company was “seeking to inform the premier and his staff on the strength of TKMS’ bid and the level of industrial co-operation undertaken in British Columbia with companies across the supply chain.”

Bernardo is a former federal political staffer who has previously served as a director of policy to the ministers of national defence and veterans affairs, according to the IJF’s Revolving Door database.

He left the public service last year to lead the defence and security file at PAA Advisory, a lobbying firm with offices in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.

The outcome of the submarine contract will have implications for British Columbia. The province hosts one of two Canadian submarine bases, and a number of B.C. companies have indicated interest in being suppliers to the successful bidder.

For example, this year TKMS enlisted North Vancouver-based shipbuilding giant Seaspan as a potential partner on the project.

TKMS’ competitor for the contract, South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, has also been currying influence on Canada’s opposite coast.

Hanwha Ocean’s CEO recently met with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston during a visit to Halifax. That company has also had public talks with Canadian shipbuilder Irving Shipyards — owned by one of the wealthiest families in the country — and recently announced a memorandum of understanding with professional services firm AtkinsRéalis, formerly known as SNC-Lavalin.

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