BC Ferries received confirmation that the federal and provincial governments have allocated funds, to assist transportation and economic recovery, under the Safe Restart Funding Program.
The funding is going to be available for operational purposes, like wages, fuel and maintenance on the vessels.
COVID-19 had a significant impact on first quarter results (April-May-June)
At the outset of the pandemic, ferry traffic dropped dramatically and was down 75 to 80% across the system in a matter of days. With the easing of travel restrictions, traffic at the end of June partially recovered and was down approximately 35% compared to this period last year.
BC Ferries is one of the entities included in the federal government’s transit funding of $540 million in response to the impact of COVID-19. This transit funding is to be matched equally by the Province for a total funding envelope of CAD 1.08 billion.
BC Ferries’ newest vessel, ISLAND DISCOVERY, officially commenced service on June 10 on the Texada Island – Powell River route.
ISLAND DISCOVERY is the first of a series of Damen hybrid-electric ships designed for future full electric operation. The ships are fitted with hybrid technology that bridges the gap until shore charging infrastructure and funding become available.
Her entry into BC Ferries’ fleet allows for the retirement of the 59-year old NORTH ISLAND PRINCESS.
The second vessel in the Island Class series, ISLAND AURORA, will replace QUADRA QUEEN II on the Port McNeill – Alert Bay – Sointula route next week. QUADRA QUEEN II will become a relief vessel.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BC Ferries created a short video with messages from
community representatives, so people can take a virtual tour of the ship instead.
BC Ferries Matches Capacity to Meet Current Demand
BC Ferries is cancelling the additional sailings scheduled in April, in response to an approximately 40% decline in traffic as a result of COVID19.
Customers with reservations on cancelled sailings on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay, Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay – Langdale routes will be contacted by Customer Care and moved to the next available sailing.
Customers with reservations on cancelled sailings on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands will be refunded.
Will allow customers to remain in their vehicles on the enclosed car deck, to help support social distancing and self-isolation.
The increase in operating expenses is mainly due to higher labour costs and staffing level changes.
BC Ferries Names and Christens the first Damen-Built Island Class Ferries
ISLAND DISCOVERY and ISLAND AURORA are the newest hybrid vessels to enter the fleet and will enter service in mid-2020, serving the Powell River – Texada Island and Port McNeill – Alert Bay – Sointula routes, respectively. The names were selected with community input and celebrate the beauty of the journey and the important connection to the coastal communities the ferries will soon serve.
A ceremony on 19 February began with a few words from BC Ferries and Damen Shipyards, followed by the unveiling of the ships’ names, and the christening of the hulls.
Main figures for Q2 (July-August-September):
Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President & CEO: “It appears that the traffic growth has reached its peak and, coupled with the recent price cap ruling, this makes prioritizing capital expenditures even more important. All net earnings are reinvested back into the coastal ferry system, which is critical to ensure we continue to operate a resilient and affordable service.”
BC Ferries’ Hybrid Electric Island Class Are on Their Way to BC
BC Ferries’ first two hybrid electric Island Class ferries are on their way to British Columbia. The ships departed Constanta, Romania on November 20, 2019, on the semi-submersible vessel SUN RISE, for the 10,305 nautical mile journey to their new home in B.C.
Damen Shipyards Group is responsible for the transport of the ships.
The Transatlantic voyage will take approximately 40 to 45 days, depending on weather.
Econowind System is Being Tested on the DFDS Ship Lysbris Seaways
eConowind is a Dutch based company, fully dedicated to wind-assisted ship propulsion.
More About The New BC Ferries Damen Units
Last week we announced the BC Ferries order for 4 New Damen Road Ferries.
A technical datasheet of these ferries can now be consulted on the Damen website.
