BC Ferries will be replacing four major ferry vessels in the coming years.
The British Columbia Ferries Commissioner announced the approval to purchase four new major vessels for BC Ferries.
Commissioner Eva Hage said she’s pleased to replace the four oldest major vessels on the BC Ferries fleet.
“It will mean a vast improvement in service, reliability, and capacity on BC Ferries’ busiest routes.”
The new vessels will replace the Queens of Alberni, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Cowichan.
The decision is in response to BC Ferries’ application for five diesel-battery hybrid, all-electric-ready ships proposal, with the fifth vessel not being approved.
Hage said with the four ferries reaching the end of their lifespans, putting additional funding into keeping them operating isn’t an option anymore.
“Investing further in them would simply delay the inevitable expenditure and at the same time, it would increase the risk of mechanical breakdowns and service disruptions.”
Hage added the fifth vessel which wasn’t approved is neither non-essential nor affordable and would be fiscally irresponsible at this time.
The new vessels are expected to serve BC Ferries’ major routes, with the first vessel expected to arrive by spring of 2029.
