BC Ferries has awarded a $86.5 million contract to Damen Shipyards Group of the Netherlands.
Two new ships will be built in Romania and are scheduled to go into service in 2020.
Damen also signed an agreement with Point Hope Shipyards in Victoria to maintain the vessels.
Each will carry up to 44 vehicles and 300 passengers and crew.
Designed for environmental and energy efficiency, each ship includes a hybrid diesel-electric battery power system.
Replacing Aging Ferries
The first minor vessel will serve the Powell River – Texada Island route, replacing the 59-year old North Island Princess, which will be retired from the fleet. The second will replace the Quadra Queen II on the Port McNeill – Alert Bay – Sointula route.
The Quadra Queen II will become a relief vessel to allow for retirement of the 53-year old Howe Sound Queen and will be used for fleet redeployments.
