Canadian BC Ferries is taking a major step forward in its new major vessels (NMV) project, marking a critical milestone in the company’s largest capital investment.
To address projected population growth, replace ageing vessels, and meet customer expectations, BC Ferries said it is continuing the procurement process for the first five of seven new vessels needed for its busiest routes. The other two vessels will be built at a later date.
In addition, work will be planned to extend the operational life of two existing C-class vessels, the ‘Queen of Surrey’ and the ‘Queen of Oak Bay’, utilising local shipyards and contractors.
“Our customers have been clear – they expect reliable service and affordable fares, and this approach directly addresses both,” claimed Nicolas Jimenez, BC Ferries’ President and CEO.
“By adopting a phased strategy, we can responsibly increase capacity and resilience while carefully managing our investments to minimise fare pressures for customers.
“Additionally, the flexibility to refine the final two vessels based on insights from the initial builds and operational performance ensures we deliver the best possible service for the future,” he said.
BC Ferries has designed the new vessels, in collaboration with naval architecture and ship design firm, LMG Marin, to be able to carry up to 360 standard-sized vehicles and 2,100 pax, marking a significant capacity increase from the 250-310 vehicles and 1,200-1,500 pax that the retiring vessels currently accommodate.
They will also be among the largest double-ended ferries in the world, with significantly improved energy efficiency and propulsion systems designed for both future flexibility and environmentally sustainable operations, BC Ferries said.
“If approved by the (Canadian) Ferry Commissioner, these new vessels will allow us to deliver an improved and more reliable travel experience for our passengers,” added Ed Hooper, Executive Director of Shipbuilding at BC Ferries.
“These new vessels will be quieter and cleaner than the vessels they replace, allowing us to achieve a significant reduction in our corporate greenhouse gas emissions.
“They will move more people and vehicles, more efficiently, helping us maintain current schedules and contributing to reduced wait times.
“Importantly, the addition of another ship to the fleet will bring the total to 12 vessels on BC Ferries’ major routes, helping us keep pace with customer demand and projected population growth along the coast,” he said.
This summer, BC Ferries saw record-breaking traffic, with over 8,040,000 pax and over 3,150,000 vehicles transported between 1st June and 31st August across its routes.
Over the past few years, the company has consistently set new records for passenger volume, highlighting the growing demand for ferry services in British Columbia.
Without these new vessels, major route capacity during the peak season will be exceeded by 2035, leading to longer waits for residents and negative impacts on local economies, particularly in goods delivery and tourism, BC Ferries claimed.
Pre-qualified shipyards will now participate in a request for proposals (RFP) process with contracts expected to be awarded in Spring 2025, subject to approval from the Ferry Commissioner.
The first ship will be expected to start service in 2029, with all five in service by 2031.
This RFP represents a significant milestone in the organisation’s fleet renewal strategy and efforts to increase capacity and resilience on major routes, the company said.
The NMV project’s second phase will be undertaken with the aim to award shipbuilding contracts for the final two vessels by 2033, resulting in those ships entering service by about 2037.
