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On 22nd November, BC Ferries' first liquefied natural gas-powered vessel, the Salish Orca, departed Remontowa shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, on a 10,440-nautical-mile journey to its new home in British Columbia, Canada

The transatlantic voyage is expected to take between 45 and 55 days, depending on weather conditions. The journey will include stops for refuelling in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Panama. After transiting the Panama Canal, the vessel will sail up the west coast of North America to British Columbia.

The Salish Orca is the first of three new Salish-class vessels. It was christened during a naming ceremony in November 2015, with the vessel's name being chosen to honour the Coast Salish people and the Salish Sea where the ship is due to operate.

The two other ships - Salish Eagle and Salish Raven - are set to enter operations in the Southern Gulf Islands in 2017. They are to replace ferries that are at the end of their life cycle.

All three Salish-class ships have been built as dual-fuel, capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD).

After public open houses in Powell River and Comox at the start of next year, the Salish Orca is scheduled to start service on the Comox to Powell River route in the spring of 2017, replacing the 51-year-old Queen of Burnaby.

"This is an exciting day for BC Ferries as our newest ship, Salish Orca, is one step closer to joining our fleet," said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries' president and CEO. "We look forward to introducing a new ship into service for our passengers on the Northern Sunshine Coast, which will improve reliability and customer service for years to come."

BC Ferries will take final acceptance and ownership of Salish Orca upon final inspection once the vessel arrives in British Columbia. Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. is responsible to deliver the ship to Canada and has contracted with a professional international ship delivery specialist. Some of BC Ferries' crew members are on various legs of the voyage for training and familiarization.

A summary of the Comox to Powell River route has been provided below.

BC Ferries Comox-Powell River Schedule

Crossing time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Distance: 17 nautical miles

Current schedule in effect from 6th September 2016 to 31st March 2017

Leave Comox (Little River)

6:20 am - Daily, except Dec 25 & Jan 1
10:00 am - Daily
3:15 pm - Sun-Tue, Thu-Fri and Dec 24 only
6:50 pm - Wed & Sat, except Dec 24
7:15 pm - Sun-Tue, Thu-Fri and Dec 24 only

Leave Powell River (Westview)

8:05 am - Daily, except Dec 25 & Jan 1
11:50 am - Daily
5:15 pm - Sun-Tue, Thu-Fri and Dec 24 only
8:45 pm - Daily