The ferry is the first of its kind to rely entirely on battery power and is expected to be delivered by 2027.
BC Ferries has signed a deal with a Netherlands-based company to supply four new hybrid electric Island Class ferries by 2027.
The ferry is the first to rely entirely on battery power and will be built in Romania by Damen Shipyards Group, which also built the first six Island-class ferries at Romanian shipyards.
Ferries are divided into Nanaimo-Gabriola and Campbell River-Quadra Island routes.
By the time the ship arrives in British Columbia, shore-based fast charging infrastructure will be in place at four terminals.
Electrical upgrades will be installed under a separate contract.
BC Ferries president Nicolas Jimenez said Tuesday that the new hybrid-electric vessel will increase shipping capacity and improve the flexibility of the system for moving vessels across routes.
“Adding more Island Class vessels will facilitate crew deployment, streamline training costs and facilitate safe, reliable and environmentally responsible ferry services up and down the coast.”
The total cost of the first Island Class program was $300 million. The latest program values are not published.
This piece received multiple bids. BC Ferries said in a statement that no Canadian companies submitted bids.
The contract with Damen is a design-build, fixed-price contract with guarantees on delivery, performance standards, cost certainty and quality of construction, the company said.
Leo Postma, Damen’s regional director for the Americas, said the company has been working with BC Ferries’ technical staff for seven years to “meet all future requirements for safety, reliability, safety, safety, safety. He said that he has developed a series of 10 ferries that are highly efficient. Sustainable water public transportation. ”
The new ship is expected to carry at least 47 vehicles and up to 390 passengers and crew.
BC Ferries says these include features that support efficiency and environmental responsibility goals.
cjwilson@timescolonist.com
