New B.C. ferries arrive at Panama Canal
Credit to Author: Kevin Griffin| Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2019 19:46:37 +0000
Two new B.C. Ferries scheduled to start operating in mid-2020 have arrived at the Panama Canal.
Built at cost of $86.5 million, the ships are both hybrid, battery-operated electric vessels designed for full electric operation. They left Constanta, Romania on Wednesday, Nov. 20 aboard the Sun Rise, a semi-submersible transport vessel, B.C. Ferries said Thursday in a news release.
“The ships are fitted with hybrid technology that bridges the gap until shore charging infrastructure becomes available,” B.C. Ferries said.
“From the exterior details to the engines, the design of the new vessels reduces underwater radiated noise, lowers emissions and improves customer service.”
The Island Class ships, expected to arrive in B.C. early in the New Year, will be used on the Powell River-Texada Island and Port McNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula routes.
They can carry up to 47 vehicles and 300 to 450 passengers and crew, depending on configuration, according to B.C. Ferries.
The two ships will be named once they’re christened.