The Shipping Industry Embraces Battery Power
The past decade has seen tight restrictions on emissions from vessels, notably with a 2015 move to a .10% sulfur maximum in Emission Control Areas (ECA) in North America and in northern Europe. As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) now shapes shipping’s decarbonization future, shipowners are looking at transitions away from fossil fuels. Among the myriad of alternatives are lithium ion batteries and some early forays into hydrogen fuel cells.To date, large batteries are used on short runs…
Fifth Hybrid-electric Vessel Launched for BC Ferries
BC Ferries’ newbuild program continues with the launch of its fifth Island Class hybrid-electric ferries last Thursday at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. When in operation, the yet-to-be named vessel will be one of two assigned to the Nanaimo Harbor – Gabriola Island route.Work will continue on the new ferry until scheduled sea trials in June. Following sea trials, the vessel will be delivered to Point Hope Maritime in Victoria in late 2021 for final preparations. Two-ship service is scheduled to begin on the Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island route by early 2022…
BC Ferries Names Two New Vessels
On February 19, BC Ferries held a naming ceremony for the first of its two Island Class Ferries at Victoria’s Point Hope Maritime. At the event, the names of the vessels – Island Discovery and Island Aurora – were revealed for the first time. The two ferries, based on Damen’s 81-meter Road Ferry 8117E3 design and built at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania, will enter service mid-2020, serving the Powell River-Texada Island and Port McNeill-Albert Bay-Sointula routes respectively.The vessels sponsors were selected from the BC Ferries family and the local communities.
BC Ferries' Newbuilds Ready for Trials
SAAM Towage Canada transported BC Ferries’ first two electric hybrid ferries from Ogden Point to Point Hope Maritime, where inspection and final testing will be conducted.Scheduled to begin operating mid-year, the ferries have 300-person, 47-vehicle capacity and feature low CO2 and noise emissions.The crews of the tugs Salish and Hyack were in charge of the operation, which spanned 80 nautical miles and lasted close to 26 hours from port to port.(Photo: SAAM Towage Canada)
BC Shipbuilding & Ship Repair Board: Workforce Strategy Document
The B.C. Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Board (SSRB) announce the release of its workforce development strategy document for the B.C. shipbuilding and ship repair industry: 'Towards 2020: A BC Shipbuilding & Ship Repair Industry Workforce Strategy' is intended to inform and guide public and private investments in future labour market development initiatives over the next decade. It is forecast that throughout the next ten years alone, B.C. employers will need more than 4,000 skilled…
BC Shipbuilding Industry Launches Cash Prize Competition
The B.C. Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Board (SSRB), with support from the B.C. Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Skills Training, is kicking off their Shipbuilders campaign with an online contest. Individuals can participate in the campaign and win a chance at one of three cash prizes with a total value of six thousand dollars by sharing a story, video, and/or survey about their experiences in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry. Selected stories and elements of the survey will be used throughout the development of the Shipbuilders campaign, and three finalists will be chosen by a jury of industry experts to take home cash prizes of $3000.00 for first place (donated by Seaspan Marine Corporation), $2,000.00 for second place (donated by B.C.
