Salish Orca, the first of three LNG-fueled ferries built for BC Ferries, entered service on the Comox – Powell River route on Tuesday.
It is the first of three new Salish Class vessels that are dual-fuel and capable of operating on either natural gas or ultra-low sulphur marine diesel.
The LNG-ferry, built by the Remontowa shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, arrived in British Columbia in January this year, following which it took on sea trials, part of operational training and to verify the interface with docks at a number of BC Ferries’ terminals.
Salish Eagle, BC Ferries’ second LNG-fueled vessel arrived in British Columbia on March 20, while the third ferry, the Salish Raven departed the Canary Islands last week on its way to British Columbia.
Salish Eagle, the second Salish Class vessel, will start service on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route in late June.
Salish Raven will be introduced in the Southern Gulf Islands in the fall, BC Ferries said in an earlier statement.
The 107-metre Salish Class ships will carry 145 vehicles and up to 600 passengers and crew. The vessels feature two car decks and have a service speed of 15.5 knots. Each ship is powered by three Wartsila 8L20DF engines.
LNG World News Staff