Monday March 31, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Four new ships will be added to the BC Ferries fleet to replace some of their aging vessels.
The British Columbia Ferry Commission has approved the capital expenditure to purchase the new ships.
“I’m very pleased to be able to approve the replacement of the fleet’s four oldest major vessels,” as stated by BC Ferries Commissioner Eva Hage in a news release. “It will mean a vast improvement in service, reliability, and capacity on BC Ferries’ busiest routes.”
The new vessels are diesel-battery hybrid, all-electric-ready ships as part of the New Major Vessels (NMV) project.
Improved features:
BC Ferries outlines that the new major vessels will provide:
- Sustainability & environmental benefits – fully electric operations, reduce greenhouse gas emissions with energy efficiency running on bio/renewable fuels and advanced battery technologies, minimize underwater noise, reduce fuel consumption and overall emissions.
- Enhanced passenger amenities – faster loading and unloading, reduced wait times, quicker boarding processes, new interior pet lounges, wider walkways and conveniently located accessible washrooms, kids’ play areas and new food options.
- Fleet resiliency and reliability – streamlines operations for crews, Standardized vessel design increases efficiencies in crew training and allows for easier vessel redeployment during maintenance to minimize disruptions, additional capacity in the peak season, additional service in the shoulder-season and off-season; resiliency to adapt when unexpected mechanical issues arrive, with more capacity to ensure moving people and goods quickly and efficiently.
Replacing four older vessels:
The new vessels will replace the “legacy vessels”: Queens of Alberni, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Cowichan – the oldest major ships in BC Ferries fleet.
- The Queen of Alberni provides regular ferry service between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and Nanaimo (Duke Point).
- The Queen of New Westminster provides regular ferry service between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and Victoria (Swartz Bay).
- The Queen of Coquitlam provides regular ferry service between: Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) and Nanaimo (Departure Bay) and also Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) and Sunshine Coast (Langdale)
- The Queen of Cowichan provides regular ferry service between Nanaimo (Departure Bay) and Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay).
The new ships will start coming onstream in 2029 and the full replacement all four vessels is expected by 2031.
- September 16, 2024: BC Ferries officially released the Request for Proposals (RFP) to pre-qualified shipyards, inviting bids to build the first five vessels, with contracts expected to be awarded in the spring of 2025, pending approval from the BC Ferries Commissioner
- December 13, 2024: BC Ferries submitted an application to the Commissioner to approve procurement of five vessels by 2029, which would allow for an additional 12th vessel on Major Routes—an investment that will bolster capacity, resiliency, and reliability for years to come.
- February 21, 2025: BC Ferries submitted a supplemental application to the Commissioner reaffirming that building five New Major Vessels remains the most cost-effective and responsible solution for customers and coastal communities amid rising global economic uncertainty.
- March 31, 2025: The Commissioner, who has the sole authority to determine whether there is a need for five vessels, approved the procurement of four vessels.
- Spring – Summer 2025: Shipyard to be awarded.
- 2029 to 2031: The first of these new vessels are expected to enter service in 2029, with four operational by 2031.
Fifth ship not approved:
A fifth ship that was proposed was not approved by the commissioner over concern for further upward pressure on fares and tax pressures.
However, BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez told media today that he believes the additional vessel would be needed to help maintain service levels if any other ships become inoperable (needing repairs or other unforeseen circumstances).
Jimenez says that not including the fifth ship in the current expansion plans is not a cost saving but just a cost deferral.
Coastal transportation necessity:
The ferries fleet are the on-water component of of British Columbia highways, connecting island communities with the mainland.
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