Netherlands’ Damen Shipyards wins contract for the supply of four, fully electric, passenger car ferries to British Columbia

Damen Shipyards Group has been selected to build four new hybrid electric Island Class vessels for BC Ferries.

• Damen that previously built six Island Class ferries for BC Ferries, will construct the vessels in Romania.
• The selection of Damen’s bid was made from multiple proposals, with no Canadian companies submitting bids.
• The agreement with Damen is a design-build, fixed-priced contract that ensures delivery dates, performance criteria, cost certainty, and construction quality.
• The new Island Class vessels will accommodate at least 47 vehicles and up to 390 passengers and crew.
• These vessels will align with BC Ferries’ Clean Futures Plan by operating exclusively in battery-electric mode using renewable BC hydroelectricity.
• The expected launch of these vessels is by 2027, serving routes connecting Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island (two vessels) and Campbell River and Quadra Island (two vessels).
• BC Ferries will also implement electrical upgrades for shore-based rapid charging at the four terminals on these routes as part of a separate contract, timed to coincide with the ship delivery.

Rendering Damen Shipyard Group