An artist rendering of the new B.C. Ferries minor class vessels. Credit: B.C. Ferries.
A Netherlands group has been awarded a contract to build two new minor class vessels for B.C. Ferries, with repairs and maintenance to be completed within the province.
B.C. Ferries announced Tuesday that Damen Shipyards Group of the Netherlands had been awarded the contract for the two vessels that are scheduled to go into service in 2020. Damen has entered into an agreement with Point Hope Shipyards in Victoria to provide technical and warranty support for the ferries. This means repairs and maintenance under warranty are to be done in British Columbia.
According to B.C. Ferries, none of the five Canadian shipyards that were shortlisted for the job submitted a bid.
The first ferry will be put on the Powell River – Texada Island route and will replace the 59-year-old North Island Princess, which will be retired from the B.C. Ferries fleet. The second ferry will replace the Quadra Queen II on the Port McNeill – Alert Bay – Sointula route. The Quadra Queen II will become a relief vessel, allowing for more fleet redeployments and for the 53-year-old Howe Sound Queen to be retired.
The two vessels will be able to carry at least 44 vehicles, as well as 300 passengers and crew. The ferries will be equipped with hybrid diesel electric-battery power generation and propulsion system. The cost of the project is approximately $86.5 million and is partially funded by the federal government.
The new vessels will be built at the Damen Shipyards Group yard in Romania.
An artist rendering of the new B.C. Ferries minor class vessels. Credit: B.C. Ferries.
Alexa Huffman
