Canada’s BC Ferries has released first details of its New Major Vessels programme, which will involve up to seven new ferries planned to enter operation starting in 2029.
BC Ferries is building these new major vessels to provide more capacity across the ferry system and continue to improve environmental performance. The vessels will replace up to six existing major vessels that are nearing their end-of-life and will serve the busiest routes between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver.
Nicolas Jimenez, BC Ferries’ President and CEO said: “The New Major Vessels program is the largest part of our capital plan to modernise and transform the ferry experience in British Columbia. These vessels – greener, more efficient and standardised – represent the future of ferry travel in our province. They will significantly increase daily capacity, provide an enhanced customer experience, improve reliability and reduce environmental impacts.”
The new major vessels will carry up to 360 standard sized vehicles and 2,100 people, compared to a capacity of 250-310 vehicles and 1,200-1,500 people on retiring vessels, which will help meet growing customer demand. The vessels will be standardised with others in the fleet to allow more flexibility in moving between routes when maintenance or refits are required.
The basic design for these vessels is being developed in collaboration with a naval architects LMG Marin, in order to maximise efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. The design calls for engines capable of using bio- and renewable fuels, and includes a battery-hybrid propulsion system that will allow for conversion to full battery-electric operation once shore-based recharging infrastructure becomes available.
BC Ferries has issued a Request for Supplier Qualification (RFSQ), available through shipbroker Clarksons. It will close on March 22, 2024. Qualified shipyards will then have the opportunity to take part in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, currently expected to occur in the summer of 2024.
Image: Rendering of new BC Ferries vessel (BC Ferries/LMG Marin)
