Second floatel arrives at WLNG site, to house 642 construction workers

Woodfibre LNG has brought a second floating workforce accommodation vessel to its construction site south of Squamish, a move the company says will allow it to add up to 900 skilled trades jobs without straining the local housing market.

The MV Saga X will house 642 construction workers in private cabins, along with space for 89 on-board staff, the company said in a news release. WLNG said the additional living space will enable them to scale up the workforce needed to maintain construction momentum on the liquefied natural gas facility, scheduled for completion in 2027.

“This vessel allows us to create up to 900 new jobs for skilled tradespeople who are needed to complete construction as quickly as possible while respecting the capacity of the local community,” said Woodfibre LNG CEO Luke Schauerte. He said the success of the first floatel showed that housing workers on the water was an effective way to reduce pressure on Squamish’s already tight housing market.

The MV Saga X includes fitness centres, recreation rooms, lounges, dining facilities, on-board medical care, and several additional amenities not found on the first vessel, such as a 200-seat auditorium and an outdoor basketball court.

The company said the decision to use floating accommodations was shaped by early consultation with Squamish residents, many of whom raised concerns about how a large temporary workforce would affect housing, traffic and local services. Woodfibre LNG says keeping workers on the floatels ensures they are not competing for local rentals and minimizes strain on community resources.

Like the first vessel, the MV Saga X incorporates several environmental features, including wastewater treatment and recycling systems, waste-reduction measures, an electric heat pump system, and the ability to connect to onshore hydroelectric power. The company expects the onshore power link to be operational in early 2026.

Workers are expected to begin moving onto the new floatel in early December. Those living aboard will be subject to the same rules and cultural and gender-safety requirements already in place on the MV Isabelle X.

Both floatels are expected to remain on-site until construction wraps up in 2027.