With high travel volumes expected over the Easter long weekend, BC Ferries has issued a public advisory—but the real headline lies beneath the surface: the fleet is ageing fast, and new vessels are urgently needed.
Two key vessels, the QUEEN OF SURREY and QUEEN OF OAK BAY—both 44 years old—will remain out of service into May due to delayed refits. These delays were triggered by unplanned repairs on other older vessels, including the 60-year-old QUEEN OF NEW WESTMINSTER, putting added pressure on dry dock availability and disrupting BC Ferries’ carefully coordinated maintenance schedule.
“This isn’t just about one ship—it’s about the challenge of operating a fleet where many major vessels are more than 40 years old,” said Ed Hooper, Executive Director of Shipbuilding at BC Ferries.
The current disruptions underscore the urgency behind BC Ferries’ recently approved New Major Vessels project. Four new vessels will be ordered by June, with the first entering service in 2029. Despite efforts to include local industry, no Canadian shipyards submitted proposals, prompting BC Ferries to look abroad for builders.
“Our plan is to build globally and maintain locally,” said Hooper.
