The first steel has been cut for the first of three BC Ferries' new intermediate class ferries (ICF) at a ceremony hosted by the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard in Gdansk, Poland.

Following an extensive competitive bid process, BC Ferries awarded the US$165m contract in July 2014 to Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. to build three new vessels.

These new vessels will be the first in BC Ferries' fleet to operate as dual-fuel, capable of using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or diesel fuel for propulsion and power generation. The first ICF is scheduled to arrive in August 2016.

The second ICF is scheduled to arrive in October 2016 and is intended to replace the 51-year old Queen of Nanaimo, sailing on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route.

The third ICF is scheduled to arrive in February 2017 and the company plans to use it to augment peak and shoulder season service on the Southern Gulf Islands route, and provide refit relief around the fleet.