BC Ferries to replace aging Mayne Queen with faster, cleaner Salish Class vessel

BC Ferries has commissioned the construction of another liquefied natural gas-fuelledvesselit says will replace one of its oldest vessels on a minor route.

The company has awarded a contract to build a fourth natural gas, electric hybridSalish Class ferry toshipbuilders Remontowa Shipbuilding SA, based in Gdansk, Poland.

"We are continually seeking energy sources that offer a cleaner, lower carbon-intensity option to displace non-renewable diesel," said Cpt. Jamie Marshall, BC Ferries' vice president of business development and innovation. "In our move toward a sustainable future, adopting LNG is one way to reduce our impact on the environment today."

The 107-metrevessel will be identical to the other three vessels the Polish company has already built, will have the capacity to carry at least 138 vehicles, up to 600 passengers and crewand travels at a maximum speed of 15.5 knots.

All four Salish Class vessels are powered byWartsila engines and electrically propelled by Schottel thrusters at each end.

But the main feature is itsuse of natural gas as the primary fuel, which the corporation hopes will contribute to a 15 to 25 per centreduction ingreenhouse gas emissions produced by the ferry fleet.

By comparison, the 85-metreMayneQueen, builtin Victoria, B.C., in 1965, can carry just58 vehicles, up to 400 passengers and crewand travels at a maximum speed of14.5 knots.

The latest addition is the corporation's fourth Salish Class vessel, bringing the total number of natural gas operated ferries to six.