BC Ferries announced that it awarded Damen Shipyards Group of the Netherlands a contract to build two new minor class vessels, that are scheduled to go into service in 2020. The vessels will have a hybrid diesel electric – battery power generation and propulsion system, that uses on board electric battery power for its operation.
The agreement is a design-build, fixed-priced contract that provides BC Ferries with substantial guarantees related to delivery dates, performance criteria, cost certainty and quality construction.
As the company explained, the electric propulsion is quiet, smooth and efficient compared to traditional diesel propulsion. The design allows for future expansion of the on board battery capacity to permit full electric operation, when the shore-side charging capacities are available.
In addition, engines will operate on ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel, that has lower environmental impact than regular marine diesel oil. The “Tier III compliant diesel engines” also have low NOx and particulate emissions. Except for this, the hull, propeller and thruster design minimizes underwater radiated noise. A fully contained waste water handling system will eliminate discharges to the sea.
The two minor class vessels will have the capacity to carry at least 44 vehicles and up to 300 passengers and crew. As announced on March 31, 2017, this project is partially funded by the Government of Canada.
The first of the new vessels will be deployed on the Powell River – Texada Island route, replacing the 59-year-old North Island Princess, which will be retired from the BC Ferries fleet. The second vessel will replace the Quadra Queen II on the Port McNeill – Alert Bay – Sointula route. The Quadra Queen II will become a relief vessel, allowing for fleet redeployments and the retirement of the 53-year old Howe Sound Queen.
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.
Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President and CEO, stated: “Hearing the contract to build the replacement for the 59-year old North Island Princess that serves the Texada Island – Powell River route is great news for our whole community. This will round off the complete refurbishment of our systems from new updated ferry terminals to now all new and newer vessels servicing our community.”
