In a span of just a few weeks time, Damen Shipyards has launched two 81-meter road ferries for Canadian ferry operator BC Ferries at Damen's yard in Galati, Romania. The ferries have been built to Damen’s Road Ferry 8117E3 design and will serve the Northern Gulf Islands off the coast of Vancouver, replacing vessels that are now over fifty years old. Damen says the order … [Read more...]
LR Chosen to Class Canada’s New LNG-Powered Ferries
Following an RFP last December, BC Ferries awarded Gdansk-based shipyard Remontowa Shipbuilding a $165 million contract earlier this month to build three "Intermediate-class" dual fuel-powered ferries. Lloyd's Register (LR) announced today they have won the contract to class these ferries. These 105-meter ships will will accommodate 145 vehicles, 600 passengers and be the … [Read more...]
Captain’s Perspective – Drydocking the MV Spirit of Vancouver Island
By Captain Keith McLaren, As a shipmaster I am often asked what it is like to be in dry dock and as few can actually visit the ship during refits, I thought it would be interesting to make a video to share the experience. I used a GoPro camera to record in time lapse our ship approaching and entering the Graving Dock in Esquimalt Harbour (located on the southern tip of … [Read more...]
Canada’s BC Ferries Shortlists Five Shipyards to Build LNG-Powered Ferries
Canada's BC Ferries is moving forward with plans to build three car and passenger ferries to run on LNG fuel as the company looks to decrease fuel costs and cut emissions. In a statement Monday, BC Ferries announced that the company has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to five pre-qualified shipyards for the construction of three intermediate class ferries. In the RFP, … [Read more...]