Polish shipyard launches BC Ferries’ fourth LNG-fuelled Salish-class vessel

BC Ferries’ fourth LNG-fuelled Salish-class Ro-pax vessel has been floated out at the Gdansk facilities of Poland’s Remontowa Shipbuilding.

Work will continue on the vessel until its sea trials, which are scheduled for late 2021.

Following successful sea trials, the ferry will make the 10,440-nautical-mile journey from Gdansk to British Columbia in early 2022 for final preparations. It is scheduled to go into service in the Southern Gulf Islands in 2022.

The 107-metre Salish-class ferry will have the capacity to carry 138 vehicles and up to 600 passengers and crew. It is built as dual-fuel, capable of running on LNG or ultra-low sulphur diesel.

When the ship enters service, it will allow for the retirement of Mayne Queen, a diesel-fuelled vessel.