B.C. Ferries approved for 4 out of the 5 new vessels it had requested

Karin Larsen · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 31, 2025 7:19 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago

The British Columbia Ferries commissioner has approved the acquisition of 4 replacement vessels for the system's large routes, 1 less than B.C. Ferries had requested.

"We're disappointed and evidently astatine likelihood with this decision," said Nicolas Jimenez, president and CEO of B.C. Ferries. "While 4 vessels volition inactive supply immoderate much-needed benefits, we judge we're missing a captious accidental to physique a much resilient proscription web for the aboriginal astatine a little terms now."

The 4 approved vessels are diesel-battery hybrids to regenerate the aging Queens of Alberni, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Cowichan.

The 5th vas was requested to conscionable predicted request increase and to supply semipermanent outgo savings, according to Jimenez.

"B.C. Ferries believes that a 5th vessel, which volition beryllium needed successful the future, volition lone get substantially much costly and enactment adjacent much upward unit connected fares implicit time," helium said.

This is the astir affordable a 5th vas volition ever be, owed to unsocial marketplace conditions, fixed-price bids, and economies of scale. Building a bid of 5 present volition beryllium importantly cheaper than gathering 1 oregon 2 astatine a time.

Commissioner Eva Hage said the 4 caller ferries, the archetypal of which is expected to spell into work successful 2029, volition bring a "much-needed summation successful capableness and reliability." 

"A 5th vessel, however, is neither indispensable nor affordable astatine this time, and approving it would beryllium fiscally irresponsible," she said.

B.C. Ferries said the commission's determination highlights the systemic backing spread successful sustaining B.C.'s marine road and disagreements astir aboriginal request and acceptable levels for waits, delays and mechanical breakdown.

The 4 caller vessels are expected to summation capableness connected the busiest routes betwixt the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island by 12 per cent. A 5th ferry would person accrued capableness by up to 40 per cent, according to B.C. Ferries.

"We perceive from customers each azygous day. We spot the afloat fares, the agelong waits, and the economical interaction of work constraints," said Jimenez. "Our customers person been precise wide and precise loud; they request much sailing capableness and less delays and a ferry strategy that tin support up with demand."

A determination connected a shipbuilder is expected successful the aboriginal summer. The terms tag for the 4 vessels is confidential pending last support of the project.

B.C. Ferries delivers over 23 cardinal rider rides a year, according to Jimenez. Decisions made by the committee are final.