BCF says no cancellations of sailings during fall work on Nanaimo Harbour

Derek Kilbourn

Sounder News

BC Ferries says there are no sailing cancellations expected during the Nanaimo Harbour phase of the Route 19 terminal improvements.

On October 27, BC Ferries started work on the Nanaimo Harbour Terminal, to extend the life of the Nanaimo Harbour terminal berth.

The Nanaimo berth phase is scheduled to be completed by the end of January 2026.

Staff with BC Ferries told the Sounder that for the Nanaimo berth phase, “no sailing cancellations are expected in this phase of the project.”

Work will be completed between sailings from 7am to 3pm, or overnight between 5pm and 5am, Monday through Friday.

Overnight work is required for some aspects of the project to minimize disruption to terminal operations and avoid impacts to scheduled crossing times.

BCF staff say should a sailing cancellation be required, “we will notify our customers in advance. This is critical infrastructure work that will help ensure reliable service and support the long-term continuity of ferry operations. We appreciate the patience of our customers and neighbours as we complete this required work.”

Terminal electrification for the route will begin in January and be completed by the end of May.

This is being done ahead of the arrival of battery-equipped Island Class vessels in 2026.

BC Ferries has not announced yet what sailings – if any – may be cancelled or changed in January as it starts life-extension work on the Gabriola berth. Electrification of both terminals will also begin in January.

An information session on is being hosted by BC Ferries at the Community Hall on November 15, from 1:30 to 3pm.

The meeting is open to the public. BC Ferries has asked people to RSVP via the BC Ferries web site bcferriesprojects.ca/db-nh-tp prior to attending.