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BC Ferries has announced that the first steel cut for the first of three new dual-fuel intermediate class ferries took place at the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard in Gdansk, Poland last week.

The event was recognized at a small ceremony with representatives in attendance from BC Ferries and Remontowa.

The new vessels will be the first in BC Ferries' fleet to operate as dual-fuel, capable of using liquefied natural gas (LNG) or diesel fuel for propulsion and power generation. The first intermediate class ferry is scheduled to arrive in August 2016.

"Today is an exciting day for BC Ferries as we officially commence the physical construction of the first intermediate class ferry, which will replace the 50-year old Queen of Burnaby on the Comox to Powell River route," said Mark Wilson, Vice President, Engineering. "We look forward to welcoming these new LNG ferries to our fleet, to help reduce both upward pressure on fares and our impact on the environment."

The second intermediate class ferry is scheduled to arrive in October 2016 and will replace the 51-year old Queen of Nanaimo, sailing on the Tsawwassen to Southern Gulf Islands route.

The third dual-fuel ferry is due to arrive in February 2017 and will be used to augment peak and shoulder season service on the Southern Gulf Islands route, and provide refit relief around the fleet, BC Ferries said in a statement.

Under contract to the Province of British Columbia, BC Ferries is the service provider responsible for the delivery of the ferry service along coastal British Columbia.