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The first steel cut on BC Ferries’ second of three new intermediate class ferries (ICF) capable of running running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or diesel took place at Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdansk, Poland on Friday.

The trio will replace aging ships in the company’s fleet and are part of BC Ferries’ vessel replacement plan for standardized ships to allow for greater interoperability.

“These new ferries will not only reduce our impact on the environment, but will also bring us one step closer to standardizing our fleet for better interoperability on all of our routes,” said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries’ President & CEO.

“Having these new ferries that are the right size for their routes will create greater efficiencies and in turn, save costs. We look forward to welcoming the new vessels into our fleet.”

The first ICF is scheduled to arrive in August 2016 and will replace the 50-year old Queen of Burnaby on the Comox – Powell River route. 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.

BC Ferries awarded Remontowa the USD 165 million contract to build three ICFs in 2014.