BC Ferries Welcomes 2nd LNG-Fueled Ship into Service
Canadian ferry operator BC Ferries informed that Salish Eagle, the second of the company’s three new vessels, will officially commence service on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route on June 21.
Salish Eagle is the second of three new Salish Class vessels that are dual-fuel and capable of operating on either natural gas or ultra-low sulfur marine diesel.
The ferry arrived in British Columbia in March this year, after traveling 10,440 nautical miles from Gdansk-based Remontowa Shipbuilding.
According to BC Ferries, its use of natural gas for these vessels will result in the reduction of an estimated 9,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, the same as taking approximately 1,900 passenger vehicles off the road annually.
“After the successful introduction of Salish Orca in mid-May, we are very excited to introduce our second new ship, Salish Eagle, into service,” Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President and CEO, commented.
The vessel, which can accommodate some 145 vehicles and up to 600 passengers and crew, is equipped with two marine evacuation systems with life rafts, smoke and natural gas detection alarms, and fire suppression systems.
Salish Eagle measures 107 meters in length overall and has a service speed of 15.5 knots.
Last month, BC Ferries welcomed Salish Orca, the first of three vessels, into service.
In early June, Salish Raven, the third ferry, arrived in British Columbia. The ship proceeded to BC Ferries’ refit facility in Richmond to prepare for operational service in the Southern Gulf Islands in the fall.
