Private Sector Enters International Fast Ferry Market
Gordon Wilson, minister responsible for BC Ferries, congratulated Vancouver Shipyards for joining with fast ferry designer Kvaerner Fjellstrand of Norway in an agreement under which the B.C. shipyard will market aluminum fast ferry designs internationally. "Vancouver Shipyards is the lead contractor on BC Ferries' fast ferry project, and I'm delighted to see that the company's confidence in the international market for high-speed aluminum ferries has grown to the point that it is prepared to take the next step toward a sustainable B.C. fast ferry industry," said Wilson. "I've said all along that the private sector has to get involved in a more direct way in this industry.
Second Fast Ferry Launched
B.C.'s second fast ferry was launched by Premier Glen Clark and Gordon Wilson, minister responsible for BC Ferries, in the company of more than 150 B.C. shipyard workers. "The workers on this project have once again done an absolutely magnificent job," said Clark. "I'm also pleased to see the productivity improvements in the second PacifiCat," said Clark. "I'm encouraged by the improvements in the construction schedule," said Wilson. "This bodes well for the B.C. shipbuilding industry's efforts to enter the international market. More than 600 direct shipbuilding jobs have been created by the PacifiCat project, as well as more than 500 indirect jobs in supporting industries.
Canadian Shipbuilding Effort Hits Stormy Sea
The future of a government program to revive western Canadian shipbuilding remains clouded after investigators released a damning report about cost overruns and bureaucratic bungling. The directors of the B.C. Ferries Corp. resigned after auditors alleged the cost of designing and building a new type of high-speed catamaran ferry had risen from the originally planned $137.9 million to approximately $288.9 million. The report was the latest bad news to buffet the Pacificat fast ferry project, which was launched in 1994 in hopes of developing and building a lightweight passenger ship in British Columbia that could be marketed internationally.
Plan To Reduced Overhead Announced
BC Ferries' management is being restructured, resulting in a $5 million annual savings and a 20 percent reduction in non-fleet management and administration positions, President and CEO Bob Lingwood announced. Lingwood was joined in the announcement by Gordon Wilson, minister responsible for the corporation, and Michael Francis, chair of the corporation's board of directors. "This downsizing and re-organization is a substantial move forward in our efforts to get the corporation's financial and management house in order," said Lingwood. "The executive is serious about improving the corporation's performance for our customers and the taxpayers. -The corporation will be reducing its year 2000/01 overhead and administrative costs by $5 million.
BC Ferries Announces Reduction in Overhead Costs
BC Ferries' management is being restructured, resulting in a $5 million annual savings and a 20 percent reduction in non-fleet management and administration positions, President and CEO Bob Lingwood announced. Lingwood was joined in the announcement by Gordon Wilson, minister responsible for the corporation, and Michael Francis, chair of the corporation's board of directors. "This downsizing and re-organization is a substantial move forward in our efforts to get the corporation's financial and management house in order," said Lingwood. "The executive is serious about improving the corporation's performance for our customers and the taxpayers. · The corporation will be reducing its year 2000/01 overhead and administrative costs by $5 million.
BC Ferries Commissions Second PacifiCat
BC Ferries' second fast ferry, PacifiCat Discovery, was officially commissioned at a ceremony attended by Gordon Wilson, minister responsible for BC Ferries; Michael Francis, chair of BC Ferries' board of directors; and Bob Lingwood, president and CEO. The second PacifiCat delivers considerable cost savings and construction efficiencies compared with the first PacifiCat. Discovery was completed eight months faster and cost $10 million less than the first vessel. PacifiCat Discovery will begin scheduled service as the lead vessel out of Horseshoe Bay. At the same time, PacifiCat Explorer will enter dry dock for scheduled maintenance work. During the busy Christmas period, the two fast ferries and a conventional vessel will be in service on the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay route. On Jan.
