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09 february 2015

Steel cutting for the first Canadian LNG - fuelled ferry

First steel cutting for the construction of modern, car-passenger ferry ordered by Canadian Owner - the largest ferry operator in North America and the second largest in the world - was started at Remontowa Shipbuilding, member of Remontowa Holding on 16th of January 2015.

The contract is executed as a result of completion of an extensive competitive bidding process to build three new intermediate class vessels. In the race to obtain the contract Remontowa Shipbuilding has beaten rivals from Norway, Germany, Canada and Turkey. Beyond doubt, a vital factor was the shipyard’s vast experience in building car-passenger ferries. So far we have built more than 30 vessels of this type, half of which is powered by LNG. Thanks to next order placed by our Canadian Client this amount will increase by another three state of the art units soon.
Contract includes not only design, construction, outfitting and carrying out of complete trial program but also delivery of the vessels to the home port as well.

First of them will be passed to the Owner mid 2016. Each of the vessels will be capable of taking on board 150 personal cars and 600 passengers. The vessels were designed from scratch by the Design Office Remontowa Marine Design & Consulting - a member of Remontowa Holding. They will comply with rules and regulations of both the classification society i.e. Lloyd’s Register, who will supervise the building process, and the government agenda i.e. Transport Canada.

The "first steel cutting" is the milestone ending the phase of technical investigations, as well as starting real construction of the ship, so it is not surprising that the ceremony was attended by numerous representatives of BC Ferries from Canada.

The two first vessels are to sail between Comox and Powel River of Tsawwassens - Southern Gulf Islands route while the third will sail during season on Southern Gulf Island route or will replace other vessels operated by BC ferries during their repair.