Damen Shipyards Galati (Romania), part of the Holland-based Damen Group, has commenced keel-laying for the first 2 of 4 fully electric ferries for Canada’s BC Ferries.
This ceremony, held at the Romanian yard on November 1st, 2024, marks a significant stage in the 3rd construction phase for the Island Class vessels, bringing Damen-built ships in the BC Ferries fleet to a total of 10. Previously, in the program's second phase, Damen delivered 4 hybrid diesel-electric ferries to BC Ferries, setting the foundation for this transition to fully electric operations.
With BC Hydro’s renewable shore power now available for charging, the new ferries will operate entirely emission-free, aligning with BC Ferries' commitment to cut emissions by 10,000 tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. Fabrication for the new vessels, based on Damen’s RoRo 8117 E3 design, began in July, and these ferries will provide capacity for 390 passengers and up to 47 vehicles on routes between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island, and Campbell River and Quadra Island.
Beyond the vessels themselves, Damen will also deliver the charging infrastructure necessary for efficient battery recharging during loading and unloading. To validate this infrastructure, Damen is conducting tests with a charging tower installed at the Galati yard. Damen currently has 6 fully electric ferries under construction at this location, including 4 for BC Ferries and 2 for Toronto’s municipal fleet.
The 4 Island Class vessels are expected to be operational in British Columbia by 2027, enhancing BC Ferries' progress toward a full transition from hybrid to electric vessels as charging stations become accessible across routes. BC Ferries has recently announced plans for further fleet renewal with environmentally friendly vessels to serve its busiest routes, reinforcing its broader strategy to achieve significant emissions reductions by 2030.