Construction begins on BC Ferries’ new hybrid-electric ships

Construction has officially begun on the first two of the four new battery-electric hybrid Island Class vessels ordered by Canadian ferry operator BC Ferries.

The steel cutting ceremony that took place at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania on July 16, 2024, is said to mark “a critical step forward” in the company’s ongoing commitment to modernizing its fleet, enhancing service, and promoting environmental sustainability.

“These vessels represent a significant advancement in our fleet renewal efforts, aligning with our strategic vision for operational excellence and sustainability,” Ed Hooper, Executive Director of Shipbuilding at BC Ferries, commented.

Specifically, the ships are designed to operate on renewable BC Hydro electricity, supporting the Province’s CleanBC goals and bringing the company closer to its 2030 targets by reducing emissions by 10,000 tons of CO2 equivalent.

Each vessel will accommodate nearly 47 vehicles and 400 passengers and will have an updated propulsion system to reduce underwater radiated noise, ensuring quieter operations.

The new Island Class vessels will serve Routes 19 (Nanaimo Harbour to Gabriola Island) and 23 (Campbell River to Quadra Island), with plans for fleet redeployment to address capacity constraints on Routes 6 (Crofton to Vesuvius), 24 (Quadra to Cortes), and 22 (Denman to Hornby).

The July 16 milestone follows several key project developments, including the finalization of design specifications in March 2023, the selection of Damen Shipyards Group as the shipbuilder in June 2023, and the approval of the major capital expenditure required to construct the new vessels in September 2023.

The units are set to begin arriving in BC in 2026.