Growth spurt for ferry newbuilding orders at China’s shipyards

China’s shipyards are focused on building up their global ferry orderbooks – and in a recent development, CMI Weihai Shipyard has won the contract to build four ‘new major vessels’ for BC Ferries.  

BC Ferries chief executive Nicolas Jimenez explains, “BC Ferries conducted a competitive and global procurement process, and the selected shipyard earned the highest overall evaluation score based on technical capability, quality, environmental performance, delivery schedule and cost. We selected the most comprehensive bid that provides the best value for our customers and delivers these ferries in the time frame we need them. It was a decision made in the absence of any proposals from Canadian shipyards.

“This yard is also working with Grimaldi and Stena and has built up an incredible expertise. It has almost become a global centre for ropax ferries. They are hugely invested in technology, and they have lots of experience.”

He highlights the yard has been working since 2014 on Stena RoRo’s E-Flexer series. BC Ferries will put a team of people on the ground in China, ensuring all standards and contractual obligations are met as part of the quality and safety controls in place at any international shipyard. 

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