Seaspan Ferries Corporation’s (SFC) Seaspan Swift, a new hybrid LNG fueled and battery powered ferry, entered service between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island. The innovative vessels is classed by Bureau Veritas, and it is reported to be the first hybrid LNG fuelled and battery powered vessel in service and the first LNG fuelled vessel operating on the west coast of Canada. Additionally, the on-board bunkering of LNG from a truck trailer is a first in North America.
Designed by VARD Marine, the 148.9m vessel is the first of two to be built at Sedef Shipbuilding, Turkey. Following a 10,661 nautical mile delivery voyage to the SFC Tilbury Terminal in Delta, Vancouver, Seaspan Swift underwent pre-operation regulatory checks and crew training in December. A sister vessel, Seaspan Reliant – also classed by Bureau Veritas, will also arrive on the West Coast early in 2017.