First look at BC Ferries’ new vessel concepts

BC Ferries is building the vessels to provide more capacity across the ferry system and to continue improving how “we get our customers where they need to be”. The vessels will replace up to six vessels that are nearing their end-of-life and will serve the busiest routes between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver.

“The New Major Vessels programme is the largest part of our capital plan to modernise and transform the ferry experience in British Columbia,” said BC Ferries president and chief executive Nicolas Jimenez. “These vessels – greener, more efficient and standardised – represent the future of ferry travel in our province. They will significantly increase daily capacity, provide an enhanced customer experience, improve reliability and reduce environmental impacts.”

The vessels will carry up to 360 standard-sized vehicles and 2,100 people, compared with a capacity of 250-310 vehicles and 1,200-1,500 people on retiring vessels, which will help meet growing customer demand. The vessels will be standardised with others in the fleet to allow the flexibility to move them between routes when maintenance or refits are required, without disrupting customer travel.

The basic design for these vessels is being developed in collaboration with naval architect firm LMG Marin, to maximise efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The design calls for engines capable of using bio- and renewable fuels, and includes a battery-hybrid propulsion system that will allow for conversion to full battery-electric operation once shore-based recharging infrastructure becomes available.

BC Ferries has just issued a request for supplier qualification (RFSQ) for its New Major Vessels programme. The RFSQ is available through the international shipbroker Clarksons, and on bcbid.gov.bc.ca. It will close 22 March 2024. Qualified shipyards will then have the opportunity to take part in the request for proposal process, currently expected to occur mid-2024.

BC Ferries said it “follows a formal and transparent procurement process to obtain the best possible value for ferry users. The bidding process to build the new ships is open to qualified local, national and international companies”.