New vessels to increase capacity and reliability for BCF major routes

Sounder News

BC Ferries announced this past week a major step forward in its New Major Vessels (NMV) project, marking a critical milestone in the company’s largest capital investment ever.

To address projected population growth, replace aging vessels, and meet customer expectations, BC Ferries is now continuing the procurement process for the first five of seven new vessels needed for its busiest routes, with the remaining two new vessels to be built in a later phase. 

Additionally, 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, through local shipyards and contractors.

Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries said, “by adopting a phased strategy, we can responsibly increase capacity and resilience while carefully managing our investments to minimize 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.”

BC Ferries has designed the new vessels in collaboration with LMG Marin, a leading naval architecture and ship design firm, to be able to carry up to 360 standard-sized vehicles and 2,100 passengers, marking a significant capacity increase from the 250-310 vehicles and 1,200-1,500 passengers 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.

“If approved by the Ferry Commissioner, these new vessels will allow us to deliver an improved and more reliable travel experience for our passengers,” adds 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.”

BC Ferries said this past summer it saw record-breaking passenger and vehicle traffic, with over 8,040,000 passengers and over 3,150,000 vehicles transported between June 1 and August 31. 

The company says 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.

Pre-qualified shipyards will now participate in the 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 organization’s fleet renewal strategy and efforts to increase capacity and resilience on major routes. 

The second phase of the NMV project will be conducted with the aim to award shipbuilding contracts for the additional two vessels by 2033, which would mean those ships would enter service by approximately 2037.

BC Ferries says at it moves forward with this project, the company remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable service while adapting to the evolving needs of growing coastal communities.