BCF awards Sonia to local yard

BC Ferries in Canada has awarded Victoria Shipyards the contract to perform major modification work on the replacement vessel for the ?Queen of the North? which sank earlier this year.

In capturing the $8 million contract, Victoria Shipyards was successful in beating off competition from three highly-qualified international yards. BC Ferries evaluated the bids

in accordance with the process specified in the bid documents. Key criteria included the schedule, project plan, contract terms, technical competency and overall price.

“BC Ferries is very pleased that Victoria Shipyards was the successful bidder on this project,” said David L. Hahn, BC Ferries’ President and CEO. “We look forward to the arrival of the vessel in Canadian waters, which will take us another major step closer to restoring full service to our Northern routes next summer.”

The vessel, currently named Sonia-X, is being painted in Greece and preparations for its transatlantic crossing are well underway, including engine modifications to enable the use of cleaner-burning marine diesel fuel. On 5 November, a crew of BC Ferries’ employees is scheduled to sail the ship from Greece to British Columbia and is expected to arrive at Victoria Shipyards in mid-December.

The modifications that Victoria Shipyards will undertake include:

– Updating safety and security equipment

– Modifying the stern ramp to be compatible with BC Ferries’ berths

– Upgrading electrical, heating and lighting systems

– Expanding, upgrading and reconfiguring the gift shop, galley, passenger food

amenities and crew common areas

The vessel will be renamed and reflagged as a Canadian vessel and will enter service on BC Ferries’ Port Hardy – Prince Rupert – Queen Charlotte Island routes in April 2007.