Damen lays keel for first two of four electric ferries

The ceremony represents the third phase of Damen’s Island Class Ferries program, a collaboration that will eventually bring the number of Damen-built vessels in BC Ferries’ fleet to ten.

The Island Class series, which began with the delivery of four hybrid diesel-electric ferries, has laid the groundwork for BC Ferries’ shift towards fully electric vessels. Designed to operate with zero emissions, these new ferries are expected to play a critical role in BC Ferries’ target to reduce CO₂ emissions by 10,000 tons by 2030. The transition to fully electric technology has been made possible by the development of renewable shore power charging infrastructure, enabling the vessels to recharge during brief periods at port.

Nicolas Jimenez, president and CEO of BC Ferries, highlighted the environmental and operational benefits of the new ferries during the ceremony. “Reaching the keel laying stage brings us one step closer to putting these vessels into service,” Jimenez stated. “These ferries will not only reduce our environmental impact but also increase capacity, improve service reliability, and provide a quieter, more efficient travel experience for our customers.”

The ceremonial traditions of shipbuilding were honoured when Jimenez placed a silver Canadian dollar, engraved with an image of five orcas, on the keel. This symbolic gesture underscores the vessels’ future role in British Columbia’s waters, known for their rich marine life and scenic beauty.

Each vessel in this series is based on the Damen RoRo 8117 E3 design, with capacity to transport up to 390 passengers and 47 vehicles. The electric ferries are slated to operate on two key routes: between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island, and between Campbell River and Quadra Island. In addition to providing the ferries, Damen will deliver the shore charging infrastructure required for efficient battery recharging, with tests on a prototype charging tower underway at Damen’s Galati yard.

Damen’s area sales director for the Americas, Leo Postma, emphasised the significance of this collaboration. “Today’s keel laying marks an exciting milestone in the development of the Island Class,” he said. “Together, Damen and BC Ferries have been developing these vessels since 2016, and it’s a testament to the strong partnership between our two organizations. This series reflects our commitment to delivering vessels that meet the unique requirements of BC Ferries and British Columbia, with commonality across the fleet.”

The construction of these fully electric ferries comes after a challenging second phase, which was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic with minimal public celebrations. Damen’s work on these vessels extends beyond the Island Class, as the Galati yard currently has six electric ferries under contract—four for BC Ferries and two for the City of Toronto. The Island Class ferries are expected to enter service in Canada in 2027, underscoring Damen and BC Ferries’ shared commitment to a greener, more sustainable future for maritime transportation.