Western Pacific Marine Awards Ferry Propulsion Contract

Schottel TwinPropeller
Schottel TwinPropeller propulsion technology
Schottel’s TwinPropeller propulsion technology is geared toward vessels or applications with limited installation space, draught or propeller clearance. Photo: Schottel.

Vancouver, B.C.-based ferry operator Western Pacific Marine Ltd. has awarded a contract to German propulsion manufacturer Schottel for delivery of main propulsion units for a new car ferry.

The newly built vessel, ordered by the British Columbia Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, is being equipped with high efficiency Schottel TwinPropeller technology. Once operational, it will serve Kootenay Lake in British Columbia.

Schottel TwinPropeller technology is for vessels or applications with limited installation space, draught or propeller clearance. The Schottel TwinPropeller system ensures combined thrust and 360-degree maneuvering power with two co-rotating propellers. Distributing the load over two propellers boosts the propulsion system’s efficiency and noise and vibration levels underwater and on board are reduced to a minimum.

The 89-meter-long (292 feet) and 25-meter-wide (82 feet) vessel will be able to accommodate up to 61 vehicles and will reduce sailing waits enormously, according to Schottel. The vessel’s scheduled to be fully converted to electric propulsion by 2030, once shore power is installed and ready for use on a daily basis. British Columbia is working to electrify its entire inland ferry fleet by 2040.

The new ferry will be ready for service in early 2023 with more than double the capacity of the vessel it will replace, the m/v Balfour, which can accommodate 28 vehicles and 150 passengers.