BC Ferries is hoping for quick approval by the Ferries Commissioner for a plan to build five large vessels for its fleet.
BC Ferries says the largest capital investment in it’s history will increase ferry capacity, resilience, and reliability for coastal communities.
The New Major Vessels project plan has now been submitted to the Ferry Commissioner.
BC Ferries says global shipbuilding costs are already 40 per cent higher than four years ago, and delaying construction would lead to significantly higher costs in the future.
The corporation wants to replace four aging ferries and add one new vessel to its fleet, to increase capacity on the busiest routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
The first of the vessels is expected to enter service in 2029, and all five are expected to be operational by 2031.
The new ferries will reduce wait times and boost fleet capacity by 19 per cent for vehicles, and 28 per cent for passengers.
“We’ve heard from our customers, “ says BC Ferries CEO, Nicolas Jimenez, “that our busiest routes are too often fully booked during peak travel times, leaving many without access to the sailings they need.”
He warns that without the addition of these vessels on major routes, BC Ferries will be unable to keep pace with the rising population, which will impact the economies of coastal communities.
BC Ferries says the costs for the proposed vessels were already partially included in its last fare application and it will work with the government to balance affordability with the service people expect.
In 2024, BC Ferries handled its highest peak season traffic, and travel demands are mounting year-round.
The corporation says the NMV project would be a generational milestone for BC Ferries, spurring critical fleet renewal to deliver more reliable ferry service to coastal communities for decades to come.
