The following is the text of a news release from Seaspan Ferries Corp. (SFC):
(DELTA, British Columbia) — Seaspan Ferries Corp. has announced the arrival of Seaspan Reliant, the second of two new dual-fuel/hybrid (diesel, liquefied natural gas and battery) ferries to its fleet.
The new vessel, currently docked at the SFC Tilbury Terminal in Delta, arrived home after an eight-week journey that spanned a total of 10,661 nautical miles following its construction at Sedef Shipyard in Istanbul, Turkey.
“The arrival of the Seaspan Reliant marks a proud milestone in the history of Seaspan Ferries Corp.,” said Steve Roth, president, Seaspan Ferries. “With the introduction of a second new technologically advanced, LNG-fueled vessel to our fleet, we are living out a clear commitment to our drop-trailer customers as well to the waterways in which we operate. As with the Seaspan Swift, the Seaspan Reliant will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions dramatically compared to other current alternatives while delivering the highest level of efficiency, performance and reliability.”
The 488-foot ferry, which can accommodate up to 59 53-foot trailers, will now undergo a series of regulatory inspections and crew training programs throughout March before entering operation in April.
Seaspan Reliant, along with its sister ship Seaspan Swift, which arrived in December 2016 and entered operation in January 2017, mark the first vessels added to SFC’s fleet since 2002.
Seaspan Ferries Corp. currently operates a fleet of seven ferries out of five terminals in British Columbia, and supplies more than 50 percent of all cargo to Vancouver Island.
