MacGregor has been selected to supply cargo access solutions and deck machinery for four new major vessels as part of BC Ferries’ historic fleet renewal plan.
These next-generation, diesel-battery hybrid, all-electric ready vessels will be built at China Merchants Industry (CMI) Weihai Shipyard.
This order is the result of a collaborative approach with numerous project interest holders, ensuring the delivery of solutions that meet the specific requirements of the vessels and the customer. While MacGregor will provide the cargo access equipment along with a dedicated integrated logistic support (ILS) package for the solution, its joint venture has secured the order for the deck machinery. Together, these solutions are expected to provide a comprehensive scope for the vessels and BC Ferries, ensuring long-term operational excellence.
The specialised cargo access equipment, deck machinery and the ILS package from MacGregor is intended to play a vital role in enhancing fleet resiliency and schedule efficiency. The standardised design and long-term support across the four vessels will support streamlined operations for the crew and faster loading and unloading to meet increasing passenger demand.
The new 172m ships are designed for BC Ferries’ busiest routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland in Canada. Built with a focus on environmental stewardship, the vessels feature advanced battery technologies and propellers engineered to minimise underwater noise to protect marine life.
Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO, BC Ferries, said: “Our goal is to build a ferry system that is reliable, sustainable and ready for future growth. We appreciate the commitment to excellence from our suppliers like MacGregor as we work towards delivering a modern ferry experience for our customers and maintaining the vital connection between BC’s coastal communities for decades to come.”
Magnus Sjöberg, EVP Merchant Solutions Division, MacGregor, added: “This is a great achievement that reinforces our commitment to our customers. By collaborating closely with the owner and our key partners, we were able to demonstrate our ability to deliver the right solutions to meet their specific needs. This order is a clear testament to the collective expertise of our global team.”
Tomas Hakala, EVP Global Services Division, MacGregor, concluded: “the integrated logistic support package underscores our commitment to support the lifecycle of these vessels. The ILS package ensures the high availability of the equipment and provides BC Ferries with the predictability and technical support when needed.”
Image: BC Ferries new electric ro-pax (source: BC Ferries)
