BC Ferries awards contract to FortisBC to supply LNG to three new vessels

VICTORIA – BC Ferries has signed a 10-year contract with FortisBC to supply liquefied natural gas for three ferries currently under construction.

The first vessel is expected to be operating in late 2016, with the other two ferries set to join the fleet the following year.

Fortis will supply about 7.8 million litres of gas a year by the time all three vessels are in service.

Ferries’ vice-president of engineering Mark Wilson says the contract will ensure a long-term supply of power for the three new intermediate-class vessels that will each accommodate 145 vehicles and 600 passengers.

BC Ferries says LNG is at least 30 per cent cheaper than diesel and the company is expected to save money on fuel, even with the current drop in oil prices.

The company says FortisBC provided BC Ferries with $6 million in incentive funding for the new vessels to help offset capital costs associated with the use of LNG, though it did not provide information on the value of the contract.