BC Ferries has three milestones to celebrate this week as three new vessels move ever-closer to completion.
The company has three new Island Class ships being built at Damen Shipyards, which is located in Romania, all of which will be hybrid, electric ferries.
BC Ferries says that the first of these three milestones was the seventh Island Class vessel being launched on the Danube River in Galati, Romania.
The company says this event means that the vessel’s hull is now proven structurally sound. Next steps will see work done to complete the vessel’s final outfitting, testing and delivery.
Additionally, BC Ferries says that the ninth Island Class vessel had its keel laid, which in keeping with tradition, required a maritime ceremony.
During the keel laying ceremony, BC Ferries’ Executive Director of Shipbuilding Ed Hooper welded a Canadian coin to the ship’s central frame, marking the official beginning of its construction and bringing luck to the future captain and crew of the vessel.
The coin was a unique one ounce, pure silver piece that depicts five orcas to symbolize good fortune for the vessel.
The 10th Island Class vessel that will come into BC Ferries fleet was the third ship to see a milestone moment. The very first piece of maritime-grade steel was cut for the third of four vessels to be undergoing construction.
While the eighth vessel’s construction is underway, just like the rest of them, there was no specific milestone to celebrate in its journey at this time.
“These milestones mark meaningful progress in our fleet renewal journey,” said Ed Hooper.
“Each step brings us closer to delivering more capacity, improved reliability, and a transition to electric energy for ferry service in British Columbia.”
Currently, BC Ferries has six active Island Class vessels which handle lower traffic, shorter routes, mainly between other Gulf Islands. These ferries have the capacity to hold 47 vehicles, and up to 300 passengers.
BC Ferries currently has four new Island Class ferries being constructed out of Romania, with an additional six on-order to replace aging vessels and expand the fleet.
The four new vessels are meant to provide service from Nanaimo Harbour to Gabriola Island and between Campbell River and Quadra Island.
One major goal with these new vessels was to rapidly reduce emissions, so the new additions will be battery-equipped and designed for full electric operation once terminal infrastructure is in place.
BC Ferries and BC Hydro are now working on next steps to install shore-based rapid charging infrastructure for this vision to come to fruition, according to the company.
The Nanaimo Harbour terminal is slated to have this infrastructure in place by summer 2026, with the remaining three terminals expected to be electrified by early 2027.
The first two of four Island Class vessels currently under construction will be delivered in two phases, with the first and second ships expected to arrive by spring of 2026.
BC Ferries says that the remaining two will then arrive in the fall, and all four will be entering service by 2027.
