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Post by Starsteward on Mar 13, 2015 12:16:21 GMT -8
Based on how much the term "standardization" is tossed around by BCF I think it's a safe bet that we'll see vessel-per-vessel Coastal replacements. I seem to recall hearing somewhere that the standardization dream was to only have ~4 classes of vessel in the end (probably an off the record comment from a BCF rep at one of the public meetings a few years ago...). Unless BC Ferries significantly lowers its tariffs across the entire system, I suspect that the whole topic of vessel replacement(s) might become a moot point as there will be little use for such a large fleet, as sailing cancellations, route cancellations, etc. all take their toll on a once proud marine transport system.
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Post by markkarj on Mar 14, 2015 6:57:06 GMT -8
One of the things I wonder about is ultimately how much the financing costs of their newbuilds and capital upgrades eat into their ability to run the service. I don't have time at the moment to get those numbers, but my understanding is that BC Ferries had to incur some fairly significant debt for recent replacements.
Another question: do they have sufficient numbers of vessels for current/projected capacity, or is there any room to consolidate? I mean, would they look to replace the five Cs and Queen of New West with perhaps four or five Coastal class ships?
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