BC Ferries Awards Shipyard Contract for New Hybrid Electric Vessels
Canada's BC Ferries announced Dutch shipbuilding conglomerate Damen Shipyards Group has been selected to build its four new hybrid electric Island Class vessels.Damen, the same shipbuilder that built BC Ferries’ previous six Island Class ferries between 2020 and 2022, will construct the vessels in Romania, after its bid was selected from among several proposals received from around the world. No Canadian companies bid for the build program, BC Ferries said.The agreement is a design-build…
Fifth Hybrid-electric Vessel Launched for BC Ferries
BC Ferries’ newbuild program continues with the launch of its fifth Island Class hybrid-electric ferries last Thursday at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. When in operation, the yet-to-be named vessel will be one of two assigned to the Nanaimo Harbor – Gabriola Island route.Work will continue on the new ferry until scheduled sea trials in June. Following sea trials, the vessel will be delivered to Point Hope Maritime in Victoria in late 2021 for final preparations. Two-ship service is scheduled to begin on the Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island route by early 2022…
BC Ferries Chooses SCHOTTEL Propulsion
SCHOTTEL said it secured an order to provide propulsion units for four 81-meter hybrid-electric road ferries ordered by Canadian operator BC Ferries from Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.Captain Jamie Marshall, Vice President, Business Development and Innovation at BC Ferries, said, “We’ve had positive experiences with SCHOTTEL azimuth thrusters in our Salish Class ferries, and opted for the German manufacturer for our Island Class as well. The propulsion system is efficient…
BC Ferries Investigating Ferry Incident
BC Ferries' MV Quinsam, which operates on the Nanaimo Harbor – Gabriola Island route, unexpectedly pulled away from the dock at Nanaimo Harbor as the ship was loading vehicles. A pick-up truck was on the ramp when the vessel started to move and BC Ferries’ crew quickly alerted the lone male occupant to exit his vehicle immediately. After the driver exited his truck, the vehicle dropped off the ramp and into the water. There were no injuries in the incident. There were no persons in the water. BC Ferries will be conducting a full investigation into the cause of this incident. Additional information will be released as soon as it becomes available. Vehicle service between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island has been temporarily suspended until further notice.
