A keel-laying ceremony marking the start of construction for the first of four new electric Island-class B.C. Ferries took place at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania on Friday.
“By building fully electric ferries, we’re taking a major step in reducing emissions, meeting increased demand and fulfilling our environmental commitments,” said B.C. Ferries president Nicolas Jimenez, who is in Romania for the traditional ceremony.
The company plans to start bringing these ferries into service in 2027. By ordering Island-class ferries, B.C. Ferries is following through on its goal to standardize the design of ships in its fleet.
New electric ferries will run between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island, and Campbell River and Quadra Island.
Each will be able to carry up to 390 passengers and 47 vehicles. The vessels will be powered by batteries, which will be recharged using shore power.
Older vessels in the fleet will be replaced when these four ferries arrive in B.C.
Damen also earlier built the first six Island-class ferries in Romania at an overall project cost of $300 million. B.C. Ferries has not released the cost for the four new ferries.
Jimenez anticipates the newest ferries will improve reliability of service and result in a quieter ride for passengers.
They will eliminate about 10,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually and support the company’s transition from hybrid ferries to fully electric once shore power infrastructure is installed, the company said in a release.
Jimenez welded a one-ounce silver Canadian coin to the central frame above the keel of each vessel to symbolize good fortune for the ship and its passengers. The coin’s design shows five orcas.
Meanwhile, B.C. Ferries is also hoping to order seven major new diesel-electric hybrid vessels and to update the Queen of Oak Bay and Queen of Surrey ferries in a life-extension project.
The fleet is getting older, and demand is growing for the service. The B.C. Ferry Commissioner would review the application to build the larger ferries and decide whether to approve it.
