BC Ferries’ new LNG-powered Salish Class vessel is now on its way from Poland to Canada’s British Columbia following completion at Remontowa Shipbuilding.
Salish Heron left Remontowa in Gdansk, Poland on December 22. It is the fourth Salish Class vessel to join BC Ferries’ fleet and would start service next year, according to a statement by BC Ferries.
It would take about 55 days for Salish Heron to make the transoceanic voyage, depending on weather, the firm said.
The ship will sail about 10,440 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal and up the Pacific Coast of North America arriving at Victoria’s Ogden Point for inspection in February.
It would then move to BC Ferries’ fleet maintenance unit in Richmond for final preparations, including the application of the exterior artwork, the firm said.
The LNG-powered vessel will replace BC Ferries’ diesel-powered Mayne Queen on the Swartz Bay-Southern Gulf Islands line in the Canadian province of British Columbia.
LNG Prime reported on this vessel in October after it completed its first LNG bunkering operation.
The new 107 meters long vessel has the capacity to carry at least 138 vehicles and up to 600 passengers and crew.
The ship features three Wartsila engines and electrically-propelled Schottel thrusters.
Poland’s Remontowa Shipbuilding launched the fourth Salish-class LNG-powered vessel for the shipping firm in December last year.
The yard has previously delivered three sister ferries to BC Ferries, namely the Salish Orca, Salish Raven, and Salish Eagle.