The newest B.C. Ferries vessel slipped off the blocks and into the waters of the Danube River in Romania last week.
It was the seventh Island Class ferry to come off the line at Damen Shipyards, and marked the next wave of construction for B.C. Ferries’ growing hybrid-electric fleet.
The four Island Class vessels currently under construction in Romania will be delivered in two phases, with the first two expected to arrive in British Columbia in the spring of 2026, and the remaining two in the fall of that year.
All four are due to be in use by 2027, providing two-ship service between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island, and Campbell River and Quadra Island.
Last week’s trial for the newest Island Class vessel, which isn’t yet named, was to show that the vessel’s hull is structurally complete and watertight. The next steps will be final outfitting, testing and delivery.
An official ceremony for the launch was attended by representatives from Damen Shipyards and B.C. Ferries, including executive director of shipbuilding Ed Hooper and Island Class program manager David Tolman.
When the four new ships are completed, the Island Class fleet will have 10 ships, the most of any B.C. Ferries vessel class. Six are currently in operation on coastal routes, including Island Aurora, Island Discovery, Island Gwawis, Island Kwigwis, Island Nagalis and Island K’ulut’a.
Last week, the last Island Class vessels reached key stages with first cutting of marine-grade steel on ship No. 9 and the laying of the keel on vessel No. 10, which included welding of a Canadian coin to the ship’s central frame. The coin, a one-ounce pure silver piece depicting five orcas, symbolizes good fortune for the vessel and continues a tradition for the Island-class vessels.
The battery-equipped Island Class vessels, fitted with diesel-hybrid technology but designed for full electric operation once terminal infrastructure is in place, are part of B.C. Ferries’ strategy to reduce emissions, minimize underwater noise and improve inter-island connectivity.
B.C. Ferries is currently working with B.C. Hydro to install shore-based rapid charging infrastructure.
The Nanaimo Harbour terminal is on track for electrification by the summer of 2026, with three other terminals expected to be electrified by early 2027.
The Island Class vessels are also a key part of the ferry company’s efforts to standardize its fleet, which makes it easier to train crews, stock spare parts and assign vessels where needed most.
B.C. Ferries said the introduction of the next wave of Island Class vessels will allow the company to redeploy other vessels in the fleet. The Island Gwawis and Island K’ulut’a will move to the route between Crofton and Vesuvius Bay to provide two-ship service, replacing the Quinsam and allowing B.C. Ferries to increase daily round trips and boost vehicle capacity on the route.
The Island Nagalis will transition to Quadra-Cortes Island, replacing the Tachek and increasing vehicle capacity from 26 to 47 and passengers and crew space from 150 to 392.
