Seaspan Ferries Corporation has welcomed the Seaspan Reliant, the second of two new dual-fueled/hybrid (diesel, liquefied natural gas and battery) ferries to its fleet.
The state-of-the-art vessel, docked at Seaspan's Tilbury Terminal in Delta, arrived 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 Corporation," said president Steve Roth. "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 148.9-metre ferry, which can accommodate up to 59 53-foot trailers, will undergo regulatory inspections and crew training throughout March before entering operation in April.
The Seaspan Reliant, along with its sister ship the Seaspan Swift, which arrived in December and entered operation in January, mark the first vessels added to Seaspan's fleet since 2002.
Seaspan operates a fleet of seven ferries out of five terminals in B.C. and supplies more than 50 per cent of all cargo to Vancouver Island.
