BC Ferries names latest LNG dual-fuel vessel

BC Ferries has held a ceremony for its first Salish-Class ship at Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdansk, Poland. BC Ferries’ Senior Chief Steward, Margaret McDonagh, christened the vessel, naming it, Salish Orca, in recognition of the Coast Salish people and the Salish Sea in which the ship will operate.

In total, three vessels are being constructed, with the Salish Eagle and Salish Raven to commence operations in the Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia (B.C.), Canada, in 2017. They will replace vessels that are nearing the end of their life cycle, with the Salish Orca in particular to replace the Queen of Burnaby on the Comox to Powell River route.

Each of these vessels will have dual-fuel engines, which will be capable of running on LNG or ultra-low sulfur diesel. This will reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 9000 tpy.

Mike Corrigan, the President and CEO of BC Ferries, said: “This marks a major milestone in building our new ships, as we honour maritime tradition with the official naming ceremony for the Salish Orca.

“As we progress with our vessel replacement programme, we will continue to look for opportunities to build LNG-powered ferries, while maintaining our high standard of safety and reliability as well as reducing our environmental footprint.”

The Salish Orca is scheduled to arrive in B.C. waters in 2016.

Edited from press release by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/27112015/bc-ferries-names-latest-lng-dual-fuel-vessel-1689/