Seapsan Swift operates on the route between British Columbia and Vancouver Island
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Seaspan Ferries Corporation (SFC) has started operating its new dual-fuel ferry, Seapsan Swift, on the route between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island in Canada.
Designed by VARD Marine, the 148.9m ferry is the first of two to be constructed at Sedef Shipbuilding in Turkey. Seaspan Swift is Seaspan’s first hybrid vessel and the first LNG fuelled, battery powered ferry on Canada’s west coast.
Following a 10,661 nautical mile delivery voyage to the SFC Tilbury Terminal in Delta, Vancouver, Seaspan Swift underwent pre-operation regulatory checks and crew training in December. Leading international classification society Bureau Veritas also classed the ferry before she began service.
“We are happy to be working with Bureau Veritas on this technical LNG/hybrid project,” said Steve Roth, vice president of Seaspan Ferries. “The company’s partnership with Seaspan Ferries has helped make the design, approval, production and delivery of the vessels a success.”
A sister vessel, Seaspan Reliant, will arrive on the west coast in early 2017 and will also be classed by Bureau Veritas.
“We know how pleased Seaspan are and we share the company’s excitement seeing this ship now in service,” said Philippe Donche-Gay, president of Marine & Offshore at Bureau Veritas. “We are now looking forward to helping Seaspan ensure that this new low-emission ferry works efficiently and safely for many years to come.”