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Tag: BC Ferries | Page 4 | Ferry Shipping News

Aug 27
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Pandemic Affects BC Ferries’ Q1 Results of Fiscal 2021

By | 2020 Newsletter week 35 | No Comments

COVID-19 had a significant impact on first quarter results (April-May-June)

  • Net losses CAD 62 million (net earnings CAD 12.2 million)
  • Revenue CAD 137.4 million (CAD 246.4 million)

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.

  • -11.4% round trips 18,249.5
  • -61.5% passengers 2.2 million
  • -46.7% vehicles 1.3 million

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.

Press Release
Jun 11
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BC Ferries New ISLAND DISCOVERY Entered Service

By | 2020 Newsletter week 24 | No Comments

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.

Mar 26
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CORONAVIRUS

By | 2020 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

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.

Feb 27
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BC Ferries Q3 Results for the Fiscal Year Ending 31 March 2020

By | 2020 Newsletter week 9 | No Comments
  • Number of sailings: 44,000
  • Passengers: 4.8 million (+0.7%)
  • Cars: 2.0 million (+1.6%)
  • Total revenue for Q3 increased by $3.2 million to $210.9 million (+1.5%)
  • Total revenue for Q1+Q2+Q3 increased by $33.4 million to $786.7 million  (+4.4%)
  • The increase in revenue is mainly a result of increased vehicle traffic, retail revenue and the provincial contribution for its portion of the fare initiatives.
  • Operating expenses for Q3 increased by $7.4 million to $205.7 million (+3.7%)
  • Operating expenses for Q1+Q2+Q3 increased by $27.4 million to $646.8 million (+4.4%).

The increase in operating expenses is mainly due to higher labour costs and staffing level changes.

Source: BC Ferries
Feb 20
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BC Ferries Names and Christens the first Damen-Built Island Class Ferries

By | 2020 Newsletter week 8 | No Comments

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.

Nov 28
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BC Ferries Q2 Results

By | 2019 Newsletter week 48 | No Comments

Main figures for Q2 (July-August-September):

  • 48,000 sailings
  • 7.7 million passengers (-1.5%)
  • 2.9 million vehicles (+0.1%)
  • +4.5% net earnings

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.”

Source: BC Ferries
Nov 21
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VIDEO

By | 2019 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

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.

Watch the video
Nov 07
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TOP STORY

By | 2019 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

Damen Shipyards To Build Four More Hybrid Electric Vessels

BC Ferries continues to roll out its Clean Futures Plan and has awarded Damen Shipyards Group contracts to build four more battery electric-hybrid Island Class vessels scheduled to go into service in 2022.

In the spring of 2017, BC Ferries awarded Damen contracts to build two “first in class” of these battery electric-hybrid vessels. These vessels have successfully completed sea trials and will arrive in Victoria, B.C. by January 2020.

With the extension of the partnership between BC Ferries and Damen now confirmed, Damen will extend its agreement with Point Hope Shipyards of Victoria, B.C. to provide technical and warranty support for the new vessels with their local staff.

The Island Class is a battery-powered ferry. When electric charging technology matures to make electricity available in the quantities required, BC Ferries will operate these new ships as all-electric ferries, using clean energy. In the interim, these ships will use an on board low-sulphur diesel hybrid system.

Press release