The Nova Scotia government says the federal ship-building contract, announced Wednesday, means 150 jobs. (CBC)

Nine mid-shore patrol vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard will be built at the Irving-owned Halifax Shipyard.

The federal government announced the $194-million contract Wednesday. The plans and the money for the project were set aside in the latest budget.

Irving Shipbuilding Inc. says the deal means at least 150 jobs and work for at least four years, as well as $32 million in contracts for about 50 local suppliers.

Karl Risser, with the Canadian Auto Workers union, said this is definitely good news for the next generation of shipyard workers in Halifax.

"We went through some lean years and today we're here to celebrate," he said. "It doesn't just happen. Fighting back matters, and resisting matters, and holding government accountable to do the right thing matters."

The Nova Scotia government is kicking in $12.2 million in performance guarantees.

Five of the ships will be used for fishery patrols along the coasts, while the other four will be used by the coast guard in a joint program with RCMP to enforce laws in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system.

All nine vessels will be equipped to run quickly and stay at sea for two weeks without taking on new provisions. The first ships are to be delivered by 2011 and the rest by 2013.

On Monday, the federal government announced a $19.6-million contract to build five 14-metre lifeboats in Victoria.

Those vessels will be used for the coast guard's search-and-rescue operations. Two will be based in B.C., while Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia are each getting one.