www.bcferries.com

VICTORIA —  BC Ferries has awarded a Polish shipyard the contract to build three new intermediate-class ferries capable of operating with liquefied natural gas (LNG) or diesel. Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. of Gdansk, Poland won the contract totalling $165 million after an extensive and competitive bidding process.

Having been approved, the total project budget approved by BC Ferries’ Board of Directors is $252 million, including financing and project management costs, as well as $51 million for taxes and import fees.

These are design-build, fixed-price contracts that provide BC Ferries with substantial guarantees related to delivery dates, performance criteria, cost certainty and quality construction, said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries Vice President of Engineering.

These new vessels will be the first of their kind for the BC Ferries fleet, operating with dual-fuel capabilities using LNG or diesel fuel for propulsion and power generation.

This is an exciting initiative for BC Ferries that can reduce upward pressure on fares due to lower fuel costs for LNG, and reduce the environmental emissions substantially since LNG is a cleaner and greener fuel compared to current alternatives, said Wilson.

The three new ships will be used to replac older ferries and provide route relief. All three vessels can accommodate 145 vehicles and 600 passengers.

The first new intermediate class vessel is scheduled to arrive in British Columbia in August 2016, the second in service in the fall of 2016, following extensive crew training and familiarization.

Under contract to the Province of British Columbia, BC Ferries is the service provider responsible for the delivery of safe, efficient and dependable ferry service along coastal British Columbia.

Source: British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.