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.
