BC Ferries said that the first steel cut for the first of three new intermediate class ferries (ICF) took place at the Remontowa Shipbuilding shipyard in Gdansk, Poland.
The event marks the construction start of the next new vessel in BC Ferries’ fleet.
Following a bid process, BC Ferries awarded the $165 million contract in July of 2014 to Remontowa Shipbuilding to build three new vessels. These new vessels will be the first in BC Ferries’ fleet to operate as dual-fuel, capable of using LNG or diesel fuel for propulsion and power generation. The first ICF is scheduled to arrive in August 2016.
“We officially commence the physical construction of the first ICF, which will replace the 50-year old Queen of Burnaby on the Comox – Powell River route,” said Mark Wilson, Vice President, Engineering .
The second ICF is scheduled to arrive in October 2016 and will replace the 51-year old Queen of Nanaimo, sailing on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route. The third ICF will arrive in February 2017 and will be used to augment peak and shoulder season service on the Southern Gulf Islands route, and provide refit relief around the fleet.
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Press Release; Image: BC Ferries