Changing Light Bulbs: BC Ferries Battles Fuel Costs
Savings sought as two German-built vessels sit idle many days.
The Coastal Celebration ferry. Photo: Kam Abbott.
On Friday, Nov. 21, B.C. Ferries president and CEO David Hahn cut a ribbon on the Coastal Celebration before it carried its first passengers between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen. Since those initial runs, the new ferry has spent no more than two afternoons a week in service.
Even when the Spirit of B.C. was sidelined with engine trouble on Dec. 2, leaving just one ship working on one of B.C. Ferries' busiest routes for several hours, the Celebration remained tied at the terminal.
Spokespeople for B.C. Ferries were unavailable to explain why, though the company reportedly planned to start the new vessel only on Friday and Sunday afternoons.
The failure to use the new ferry, however, is consistent with what the company's done with the Celebration's two sister ships, the Coastal Inspiration and the Coastal Renaissance. The three new ferries were built in Germany for $542 million. While the Inspiration has been in regular use, the Renaissance spent some time in service before being reduced to three days a week this fall, then nothing.
The Tyee reported two weeks ago that the three new ships may be lemons, with problems that include heavy fuel consumption, noise and vibration. Those problems may all be related to a design flaw that has the ships sitting too high in the water, the story said, causing the propellers to suck air.
While B.C. Ferries is working on the various problems, the fuel guzzling may prove the most difficult to solve. B.C. Ferries is taking steps to reduce the ships' fuel use, but observers wonder if the company, with the board's approval, simply ordered the wrong ships.
Plan to trim fuel use
A November B.C. Ferries report on "Fuel Conservation Initiatives" outlined what the company is doing to reduce fuel use on the Coastal Class and C Class vessels, which includes the three new ships.
"BC Ferries expects to improve fuel consumption on the C-Class and Coastal Class vessels through greater information sharing between each of the crews and resulting operational improvements," the report said. "By understanding how one (or more) crews are achieving improvements in fuel consumption, all crews can improve their fuel burn."
The company also planned to replace 700 halogen lights on each of the new ships with LEDs, it said, "which reduces the power requirement of the generators and results in fuel savings."
It planned to reduce engine warm up times across the fleet, and to tweak the route the Coastal Inspiration takes on the Duke Point to Tsawwassen route.
"BC Ferries is in the process of optimizing the navigational path or track that the vessel sails," it said. "Utilizing this track enables the vessel to follow the shortest path, thereby enabling lower average crossing speeds and therefore lower fuel consumption."
Finding the best path would also minimize the amount of time the ferry spends in what is known as "mode 2," where both fore and aft propellers are used, "resulting in additional fuel consumption."
Fuel is a major cost and consideration for B.C. Ferries, which is in the process of removing the fuel surcharge it has applied for the last three years. While the price of fuel has dropped in recent months, it's not expected to stay low.
And yet internal company figures for June obtained by the Tyee show the new vessels burn much more fuel than do older vessels with similar capacity. The Coastal Inpiration burned an average of 9,719 litres of fuel to make a round trip between Tsawwassen and Duke Point. Used on the same route, the Queen of Cowichan burned 6,378 litres of fuel per round trip.
While the ferry company may be able to change the light bulbs on the ships, there are basic things about the vessels that will prove more difficult, if not impossible to fix.
Consider, for example, the horsepower of the engines on the new vessels. Higher horsepower generally requires greater fuel consumption.
The new vessels, according to figures recently added to B.C. Ferries' website, have 21,444 horsepower engines. That's nearly double the 11,860 horsepower of the Queen of Cowichan, which carries a similar number of vehicles and passengers. And it's even more than the 21,394 horsepower of the Spirit vessels, which each carry 100 more vehicles and 500 more people than do the new ships.
Fuel use said to meet requirements
The contract for the new vessels has never been released to the public. A summary on the B.C. Ferries website says, "Vessel performance guarantees related to speed, carrying capacity, manoeuvrability and fuel consumption."
It does not specify what the criteria are, but says there would have been financial penalties if the ships failed to go as fast as they were supposed to. It also says B.C. Ferries could reject the ships if they were not "built to the highest shipbuilding standards for noise and vibration."
Representatives of both FSG and B.C. Ferries have said the new ships passed during the sea trials and meet all the requirements.
Or as Stefan Krueger, a Hamburg engineering professor who was involved in testing the ships, put it in an e-mail, "during the sea trials it was found out that the ships were exactly performing as predicted by all our calculations and model tests, which confirmed the design as such as well the calculations."
Due to "contractual obligations," he couldn't give specific fuel consumption figures, he said. "The consumption was in line with the calculations, and there was no air drawing of the propellers or cavitation found. The ships were exactly performing as predicted by the different experts involved."
If anything, they surpassed expectations, he said. "The ships achieved a slightly higher speed than contracted (equivalent to a lower consumption at contractual speed), which I would consider as normal from my knowledge."
Krueger did allow the total fuel consumption may be pushed up at times when the ships are moored. "When the ships are stopped and the propellers are still idling, a significant power is required to turn the propeller under zero thrust condition, which costs also a significant amount of fuel."
The designers tried to get around the problem, he said. "The ships were optimized to approach the dock as quickly as possible, berth her with both propellers and stop the engines when moored. That was why we spent much of the design work to achieve fast stopping and acceleration times."
He added, "I would not consider a long idling time of the propeller as normal or useful, because of the related fuel consumption."
'Why did they order these ships?'
The question then, said Save Our Ferries' Nelle Maxey, is whether B.C. Ferries ordered the wrong ships for the route in the first place.
Alternators Fixed on Ferries
A problem with the alternators on three new BC Ferries vessels appears to have been solved.
When an alternator fails in a diesel-electric engine, the engine will lose power. If that happened while navigating through a narrow place such as Active Pass, it would be dangerous, and therefore a very good reason not to use the ships.
"Transport Canada is aware that there was a mechanical issue with the alternators on the new ferries and it has been satisfactorily resolved," said Transport Canada spokesperson Jillian Glover, responding by e-mail to questions. She suggested contacting B.C. Ferries for more information.
When the ships were being built in Germany, Transport Canada worked with the American Bureau of Shipping to make sure the ferries met Canadian and international regulations, she said. The agency participated in the sea trials for the vessels and gave them a final inspection when they arrived in Canada.
The vessels get annual inspections, she said, and the law requires Transport Canada be notified of any safety issues. "B.C. Ferries is required to notify Transport Canada if there is an accident or any damage or mechanical issues with a vessel that would affect its overall safety."
Despite concerns about saving fuel, she said, the company appears to have ordered hugely inefficient vessels. "It just seems so apparent that these ships aren't the appropriate ships for a public transportation system," she said.
The design might be innovative, but it was untested, she said. They also appear to be too large for the number of people travelling between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, especially given the drop in traffic this fall.
"I don't see any upside to them at all," she said. "Why did they order these ships?"
Getting an answer to that question is difficult.
Despite spending $150 million a year on B.C. Ferries, and despite Premier Gordon Campbell and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon's recent $20 million boost to the company, the Transportation Ministry really does appear to have stepped out of paying attention to the ferries. An FOI request for all records related to the performance of the new vessels got a response saying the ministry has no such documents.
Falcon said the public is protected from whatever goes wrong with the new ships. "Unlike the fast ferries we were stuck with in the 1990s that still don't operate and work, these are boats that are provided under warranty," he said. "Any defects in the ships themselves have to be repaired at the cost of the manufacturer and the builder and that's the way it should be."
B.C. Ferries might not be using the new ships much, he said, but figured "That to me is asset utilization." As for concerns about fuel use, he said, "they're more efficient than earlier vessels, so I don't even understand the nature of that complaint."
Board did 'proper analysis'
Nor does the B.C. Ferry Services Inc. board chair have much to say. The new ships are working out, Elizabeth Harrison said, "From our perspective, great."
Asked why they aren't being used more, she said, "David Hahn's spoken on this. That's a management issue... I think he's been more than forthcoming in giving a full answer. It may be that you guys don't want to hear or understand a full answer."
When the board approved the purchase in September 2004, she said, it did its best with the information available. "We did our proper analysis," she said. "We looked at what we had at that time to look at to make a reasoned judgment."
Just two members of the B.C. Ferries board, according to B.C. Ferries website, have marine experience.
While there have been a few changes to the board since 2004, when directors approved the contract with FSG, their overall nautical experience was no greater back then.
The original board was appointed by the government in 2003, with further members selected by the board itself. Asked why there aren't more people who know about boats directing the company, Harrison said, "There are very few people in the province who would fit that description."
There were problems when the ferries were managed as a crown corporation as well, Falcon said. "I'm not convinced the old oversight was frankly any better than what we have now."
Related Tyee stories:
- BC Ferries' fuel records show how much new vessels guzzle
- BC's German Ferries May Be Lemons
Heavy fuel use, noise, vibration and air-sucking propellers said to be problems. - German academic paper warned BC Ferries' needs were hard to meet
![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
Grumpy
03-12-2008
Die Dutch Zitrones
Well let's see, wrong boats doing the wrong job.........sounds familiar? It should, this just what the fast-ferries were, the wrong boats doing the wrong job.
Campbell and his corporate zombie Hahn wanted 'show case' das boots, to collectively thumb their noses at BC Ship builders. But bigger is not better and in these fuel sensitive times the 'zitones' seem a poor bargain.
But, is there a 'das boot' scandal? Nein! The major media is largely ignoring the NASCAR style ferries for the charade that is called Parliament.
But for all you Liberal bloggers - never again do I want to here of the fast ferry scandal because now we have faster ferries, sucking back almost a third more fuel per round trip, that will screw BC Ferry's next year.
Luke Skywalker
03-12-2008
Die Deutsche Zitrones? - Das Stimmt Nicht!
The three C-class vessels were built during the late 1970's/early 1980's.
The two S-Class vessels were built during the early 1990's.
And the old V-class/Burnaby-class boats were built as long ago as 45 years. Been stretched and lifted. Way past their due date. Should have been replaced by the ill-fated FastCat program.
And what does one replace the the V/Burnaby class with? Super C class vessels in the same league as the C/S class.
Perfectly good fits for the future of the major routes. You know, over the next 40 years with corresponding population increases?
Short term teething problems, traffic problems, and fuel charges should now trump the longer term passenger growth over the next 40 years?
Das stimmt nicht! :)
Grumpy
04-12-2008
Luke, luke.......you make some leaps in logic.
First of all, the problems are not teething problems, they are design problems - more powerful engines = greater fuel consumption.
For the current ferries past their due date, no, not if proper maintenance is performed. In Washington State, some of their hulls date to the 20's.
Population increase doesn't equate to ridership increase. Todays drop in ridership may foretell travel patterns in the future.
If they are so good, why are they mostly tied up? Sadly, wrong type of boats, built for the wrong reasons = huge fuel consumption which in turn = higher costs, which in turn = less traffic, which in turn = higher fares, which in turn = even fewer traffic... and so one.
jimmy_laroux
04-12-2008
If we just change enough bulbs...
What a brazen lie.
Translation: "I am a lawyer. I don't understand any of this stuff. But rather than admit that I am totally out of my depth, I will give a condescending non-answer to your question."
Incredible. And this man is running the Ministry of Transportation. Why should BC tremble?
Van Isle
04-12-2008
The fast-cats problems could
The fast-cats problems could have been easily fixed; slight modifications to the main engines and use the Vessels as a normal speed ferry. But no, Gordo had to rub our noses into it and have the Vessels auctioned off for less than $20 million; and to think he could have gotten $50 million for the Aluminium as scrap.
Van Isle
04-12-2008
A number of months ago I
A number of months ago I wrote in one of these comment columns (dealing with BC Ferries) about Mr. Hahn and his background with Ogden Aviation out of New York. My whole essay was rubbed out by the Tyee editors. I didn't write an opinion, but facts about Mr. Hahn in his time at Ogden Aviation. Did the Tyee editors have a case of libel chill? How come no one else has tried to write about Mr. Hahn and particulary his connection to Gordon Campbell? My opinion is that Mr. Hahn was brought into BC Ferries to run it into the ground (pun intended.
Luke Skywalker
04-12-2008
Grumpy...
You're too grumpy. :)
Come on. When BC Ferries was first established circa 1960, the population of Vancouver Island/Metro Vancouver was relatively minuscule compared to today and ridership does have a co-relation with the region's population.
And over the next 40 years, I'm sure millions more will reside in the region.
When the first Spirit Class ships were completed under the NDP (beautiful ships BTW), there were claims that they had too much capacity. The first Spirit boat was also taken out of service for ~six months due to problems and the BCFMWU wanted an inquiry into these boats.
Sound familiar?
You don't really believe that, do you?
The board of directors of BC Ferries includes former NDP premier Dan Miller and a CLC rep. who approved the same deal.
A fixed-price contract with a reputable German shipyard v. Washington Marine Group who would have constructed at least the superstructure in China?
I dunno. The design is not dissimilar to the Spirit and C-class vessels.
Let's see how everything plays out over the next year.
Van Isle:
But it was the NDP's decision in 2000 to withdraw the FastCats from service, even before the third fast Cat was completed, and sell them. They hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to sell 'em to no avail.
DJT
04-12-2008
The never ending
The never ending regurgitation of the Fast Ferries by the likes of Falcon, even to this day, is getting really tiresome. It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that someone was/ is slipping the Washington Marine group a few bucks to leave the ships moored in North Van as a "monumental reminder".
nominalis
04-12-2008
let's build more
If we keep on bulding enough crappy ferrys we could eventually line them all up, run a ramp along the top and have a fixed link to the mainland.
Van Isle
04-12-2008
Hey Luke,
yes I agree that the NDP did take them out of service but it was Gordo's gang who decided what to do with them. And oh yea, I forgot to mention that all 3 fast-cat vessels had their fuel tanks topped right up just before the auction.
Dave2
04-12-2008
Topped up
That probably doubled their resale value :-)
Isabella2
04-12-2008
Changing light bulbs
Interesting to note:
"BC Ferries is in the process of optimizing the navigational path or track that the vessel sails," it said. "Utilizing this track enables the vessel to follow the shortest path, thereby enabling lower average crossing speeds and therefore lower fuel consumption."
"Finding the best path would also minimize the amount of time the ferry spends in what is known as "mode 2," where both fore and aft propellers are used, "resulting in additional fuel consumption."
*****
Rumours discussed around me have it that, when the Coastal ferries carry lighter, or less balanced loads, one or both propellors raise out of the water. If this is correct, surely it would compromise steerability?
Next up for discussion is the matter of answers to questions re the design:
1. Who supplied the specifications to the German shipbuilder - Victoria? BC Ferries? A separate marine architect?
2. Or was the German shipbuilder also the designer? If so, did the company fail to realize the characteristics of BC's coastal waters?
2. If the designer was Victoria, BC Ferries, or a different company who supplied the drawings to the German shipbuilder -- were the drawings less than satisfactory, or did the shipbuilder not follow them to the letter?
3. Whatever the answers to those questions there is one more - who is paying for all the modifications? BC taxpayers, BC Ferries and ferry users, or the German shipbuilder?
As for the ships' lightbulbs: We need to change more lightbulbs than that - beginning with the dim ones in Victoria.
Stephanie T
04-12-2008
Here's my question..............
Why are they only NOW "in the process of optimizing the navigational path or track that the vessel sails,"?
Shouldn't they have done that decades ago? Common sense dictates that you will burn less fuel and arrive at your destination more quickly by following the shortest route does it not? Morons.
Stump
04-12-2008
Ferry fiasco
The Liberals continue to develop transportation infrastructure with the private automobile in mind, despite the rather obvious trend away from that form of transportation (for a variety of reasons). Building car ferries when we could have passenger-only ferries and their consequent advantages smacks of ignorance and shortsightedness. It's roughly as cheap to rent a car on the Island as to take your own vehicle on the ferry, plus one doesn't have to worry about line-ups and assured loading surcharges, etc.
Based upon this story, the only difference in the long run between the FastCats and the Uber-scows is where the shipbuilding workers paid by BC taxpayers cashed their cheques and paid their income tax. Another example of the folly of outsourcing.
G West
04-12-2008
Isabella2
I believe the shipbuilders were tasked with a design/build contract - to the specifications provided by BC Ferries...I also recollect that the time constraints were such that there was no scale model tests just mathematical simulations....
I expect Hahn and Co signed off on the design and the degree to which they met the specs...
I think some items (the alternator parts) are covered by warrantee - about the others - who can say?
We're not permitted to see the contracts so your guess is as good as mine.
pender paul
04-12-2008
Falcon blowing smoke
"Falcon said the public is protected from whatever goes wrong with the new ships. "Unlike the fast ferries we were stuck with in the 1990s that still don't operate and work, these are boats that are provided under warranty," he said." What is Falcon on about? The fast cats were sold, at bargain basement prices, to the free enterprise friends of the Liberals. What does he care if they work or not, they're not his problem. What is a problem is Falcon's total lack of leadership as Minister of Transportation--and he's seen as a serious contender for the leadership of the Liberals?--give us all a break. Keel hauling is what he deserves.
North of Hope
05-12-2008
FastCat
Van Isle, "The fast-cats problems could have been easily fixed; slight modifications to the main engines and use the Vessels as a normal speed ferry. But no, Gordo had to rub our noses into it and have the Vessels auctioned off for less than $20 million; and to think he could have gotten $50 million for the Aluminum as scrap."
and
Luke Skywalker said, "But it was the NDP's decision in 2000 to withdraw the FastCats from service, even before the third fast Cat was completed, and sell them. They hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to sell 'em to no avail."
The FastCats should have been repaired and used in BC. The fact that they were auctioned was to deflect the heat on Gordo as the auction ended the day of his sentencing for drunk driving. It was a great story to hide his criminal charge conviction.
ritap
05-12-2008
Ferry Fiasco
There was so much criticism of the "Fast Ferries" about cost overruns, however, B C workers learned from the errors and could have rebuilt the ships to work in our waters. Instead the Liberals sold them off for $20 million. Now comes the new ferry management, who instead of building ships in B.C. with the expertise they had gained, they purchase ships from Germany.
Now the new ships are costing money and running into unforseen problems from lack of prior knowledge which our B C builders would have had because of the "Fast Ferry" fiasco.
Will we ever learn? Will we ever see through the incompetence of the Campbell government and their ideological masters?
Urbanismo
05-12-2008
Thu Biggies
Umph, I thought something was wrong.
Last summer, meeting the ferries in Departure Bay on my sailboat, I noticed a couple of peculiarities:
1. There is very little wash.
2. The wake was foamy and muddy.
On once meeting a first mate, on board, during one of my crossings I engaged him in conversation.
Oh the lack of wash is good hull design and the muddy wake is props churning off the sea bed.
Ummmm, thought I: hogwash. Those are big boats with huge displacement: wash is what displacement is about.
As for mud: well we know that problem now.
Are these things lemons? What with the fast cats marine wise we ain't very wise . . . are we!
jwlaurie
08-12-2008
BC Ferrie
All that just so the Neo Cons could say "stuff it" to the unionized ship building and associated workers in BC. We we all wind up paying for it . . . . .
Will we remember this when the next election is held here in BC? Not likely for the most part . . . . . . and history will get another 4 years to repeat itself.
KevinC
09-12-2008
Just an aside
In the discussion for a previous article on this topic, I noticed someone comment that the German shipbuilders were subsidised. In fact, their projects haven't been subisidised since 2003 (http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation-equipment-manufacturing/ship-boat-building/406156-1.html), and for this reason they have had to go into very specialised niche markets, which they have done with a fair bit of success (http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,467655,00.html).