BC Ferries introduces biodiesel to its fleet

The ferry company is now burning a B5 fuel blend in all service areas where the product is available. 31 out of 36 ships are using the cleaner-burning fuel. BC Ferries worked with its fuel supplier, Chevron, for over a year before implementing the new product in order to ensure that the safety and reliability of the vessels would not be compromised.

The Queen of Alberni, which operates on the Tsawwassen – Duke Point route, was the first vessel to trial B5 biodiesel in September 2009. “BC Ferries is a leader in the use of ultra low sulphur fuel to reduce emissions,” said Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ vice president of engineering and terminal construction. “Adopting biofuel helps us further reduce our fleet emissions.”

B5 fuel blend is a mix of 5% canola-based biodiesel with 95% low sulphur petroleum diesel. Biodiesel burns cleaner with significantly less unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in emissions.