Remontowa Shipyard holds steel cutting for first vessel in a series of BC Ferries' three ICF class LNG-fueled ferries

Last week a steel cutting ceremony was held at the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard in Gdansk, Poland for the first vessel in a series of three new intermediate class ferries (ICF) LNG-fueled ferries, ordered by BC Ferries, the shipping company said.

The event marks the construction start of the next new vessel in BC Ferries’ fleet and was recognized at a small ceremony with representatives in attendance from BC Ferries and Remontowa.

Following an extensive competitive bid process, BC Ferries awarded the $165 million contract in July of 2014 to Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. to build three new vessels. These new vessels will be the first in BC Ferries’ fleet to operate as dual-fuel, capable of using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or diesel fuel for propulsion and power generation. The first ICF is scheduled to arrive in August 2016.

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.

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.

BC Ferries is one of the largest ferry operators in the world, providing year-round vehicle and passenger service on 25 routes to 47 terminals, with a fleet of 35 vessels. We are an essential transportation link that connects coastal communities and facilitates the movement of people, goods and services. In April 2003, BC Ferries was transformed from a Crown corporation into an independent, commercial organization under the Company Act.  Our Company is governed by an independent Board of Directors appointed by the B.C. Ferry Authority.