IFC To Build Stern Section Of Superferry After Leasing VPSI Facilities

Integrated Ferry Constructors Ltd. (IFC) of North Vancouver, the company managing construction of British Columbia's first superferry for the B.C. Ferry Corporation, will build the stern section (Block A) of the ship's hull in Victoria using the workforce and leased facilities of Versatile Pacific Shipyards Inc.

(VPSI), project executive David Longdale recently announced.

"The contract for the important Block A main hull was previously intended for VPSI, but that company's prolonged financial problems made it necessary for us to take other action, Mr. Longdale said.

"We have leased the Esquimalt shipyard from VPSI and put our own management in place to get on with the construction job by employing VPSI's skilled employees. We are preparing the leased space for the start of construction." The 470-car superferry is being built in sections or blocks and is scheduled for delivery to B.C. Ferries in early 1993. IFC earlier awarded a contract to Allied Shipbuilders Ltd. of North Vancouver to build the forward end of the hull— Block B.

After launch, the stern section will be joined to be bow section in the Esquimalt graving dock.

Mr. Longdale said negotiations are continuing for the construction of five other blocks that will form the vessel's superstructure. IFC expects to be supervising/the construction of all of the variousxompon^nt parts of the first superferry at a number of different B.C. Shipyard locations within the next several months.

B.C. Ferry Corporation awarded a $120 million contract to IFC in October 1990 (See MARITIME REPORTER/Engineering News, March 1991, page 74). The 2,000- passenger superferry will be the largest ever built on Canada's west coast.

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