The Woodfibre LNG project is aiming to be the world’s first net-zero LNG export facility and is located in Howe Sound, 7km West from the city of Squamish and within the traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). Accessible only by water and currently under construction, the project requires a large non-local workforce until its projected completion in 2027. After extensive engagement with the Squamish Nation and local communities, a floatel (floating worker accommodation) was selected as the preferred solution for housing the non-local workforce.

Vancouver-based Bridgemans Services Group (Bridgemans), in partnership with the Squamish Nation’s economic development arm, Nch’ḵay̓, was engaged by McDermott to develop the marine infrastructure for the floatel solution. Bridgemans retained Westmar Advisors (Westmar) to provide engineering and advisory services to design and help construct new ferry terminals and to support the design of the mooring system for the MV Isabelle X, a large cruise ferry converted to function as the floatel at the Woodfibre site.

Westmar designed a new temporary ferry terminal at the Woodfibre site using offshore mooring technology and a modified barge, a low-impact approach pioneered by Westmar and Bridgemans that enables rapid construction. The new Woodfibre ferry terminal can receive a range of passenger vessels simultaneously, including the high-efficiency Arial X crew supply vessel transiting from a second new ferry terminal, also designed by Westmar and located in Richmond near Vancouver International Airport.

The new critical transportation links enabled implementation of the floatel, which was mandated by provincial and Squamish Nation regulatory approvals and represents a community-driven solution that ensures non-local workers are housed on-site. This reduces strain on local housing and services, improves safety, reduces environmental impacts, and fosters economic opportunities for the Squamish Nation.

A storm-resistant floatel mooring system was validated with comprehensive coastal modelling and wind/wave hindcasting to ensuring uninterrupted operation of the permanently moored facility. The ferry system required two new terminals, one at the Woodfibre site and one close to Vancouver International Airport. The Woodfibre terminal would receive local vessels from Darrel Bay as well as Bridgemans’ fast crew supply vessel, the Amia X, which would be transiting to and from the second new terminal in Greater Vancouver.

Both new ferry terminals needed to be constructed quickly with expedited timelines for permitting and regulatory approvals. For the new ferry terminal at the Woodfibre site, a barge was modified to serve as a floating dock that could berth and moor multiple ferry vessels of varying sizes. The modified barge was held in place using chains that crossed underneath the hull and terminated at large offshore anchors set into the seabed. Attenuators were connected to the chains and the system was engineered to limit dock motions and accommodate up to five passenger ferries simultaneously.

In Richmond, Westmar designed an innovative berth for the Amia X. This berth integrates cantilevered mooring piles with rotating donut fenders and mooring collars, allowing for safe, flexible vessel operations. The Sea Axe hull design of Amia X, known for its low-resistance profile, enhances fuel efficiency by 20% while improving vessel stability in rough seas.

Two new ferry terminals we successfully completed in conjunction with the deployment of the floatel at the Woodfibre LNG site. Benefits include:

• Enhanced workforce mobility with direct ferry transport from YVR to Woodfibre LNG.
  
• Reduces community impact by housing non-local workers offshore.
  
• Improves sustainability through shore power integration and fuel-efficient vessel designs.
  
• Ensures safety and resilience with innovative mooring and berth designs.
  
• Supports Indigenous partnerships.