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The first steel cut on BC Ferries' second of three new intermediate class ferries (ICF) took place at the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. ship repair yard in Gdansk, Poland, last week. Once completed, all three dual-fuel ferries will be capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD).

The new vessels are to replace ageing ships in the company's fleet and are part of BC Ferries' vessel replacement plan for standardized ships to allow for greater interoperability.

"Standardization will provide the company with more flexibility to best utilize ships over their 40-year lifespan. This strategy will save on training and operating costs, and will better match capacity with demand throughout the system," BC Ferries said in a statement.

Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries' President and CEO, commented: "These new ferries will not only reduce our impact on the environment, but will also bring us one step closer to standardizing our fleet for better interoperability on all of our routes. Having these new ferries that are the right size for their routes will create greater efficiencies and in turn, save costs. We look forward to welcoming the new vessels into our fleet."

The first ICF is scheduled to arrive in August 2016 and will replace the 50-year-old Queen of Burnaby on the Comox to Powell River route.

The second 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 ICF 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.

Specifications of the new intermediate class ferries, according to BC Ferries, are as follows:

- The new intermediate class vessels will measure approximately 107 metres and will have the capacity to carry 145 vehicles and up to 600 passengers and crew.

- The ships will have roll on/roll off vehicle decks, capable of loading/unloading at the designated terminal berths.

- The vessels will be constructed for a service life of approximately 40 years.

- The ships will have a contract service speed of 15.5 knots and accelerate time to 12 knots in 125 seconds.

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.