Service Notices - Inside Passage Fall/Winter/Spring
Attention Northern Commercial Customers
Posted February 15, 2008
Changes to Reefer Configurations on New Vessel
In 2009, BC Ferries will be welcoming the Northern Expedition into service on the Port Hardy – Prince Rupert route. The vessel, at a length of 150.75 metres and AEQ capacity of 130, will offer a state-of-the art travel experience to our northern customers. The vessel will replace the Queen of Prince Rupert, which will be retired after 43 years of service.
Of particular interest to our commercial customers is the configuration of the reefer systems on the new vessel. Currently, the Northern Adventure has eighteen diesel/gas reefer exhaust units. In addition to the diesel/gas units, there are fourteen electrical connections. The Queen of Prince Rupert currently has a total carrying capacity of 20 diesel/gas driven refrigeration plants.
The Northern Expedition will have a total carrying capacity of 26 reefers; of which four will be diesel/gas driven refrigeration plants. In addition to the gas/diesel drive units, the vessel will have 22 electrical connections for use by our commercial customers. The switch from gas/diesel to electric units is being made for the following reasons:
· Environment: electrical units cause less air and noise pollution;
· Safety: electrical units pose a smaller fire risk, thus lessening the safety risk to our passengers, crew and vessel;
· Safety: electrical units pose less of an injury risk to our employees.
As part of our ongoing commitment to the environment, BC Ferries is reducing its dependency on diesel/gas reefer units and will ultimately eliminate them from usage and operate 100% electric reefer units.
BC Ferries looks forward to working with its northern commercial customers in the coming months and years.
For additional information, visit www.bcferries.com or call 1-888-BCFERRY (223-3779).
