Damen Launches Tenth Island Class Ferry for BC Ferries
Damen Shipyards has launched the tenth Island Class hybrid-electric ferry for British Columbia Ferry Services (BC Ferries), marking the near-completion of a vessel programme that has become a benchmark for coastal ferry fleet renewal. The 47-metre, double-ended vessel was launched at Damen's facility in Romania and will undergo final outfitting and trials before delivery to BC Ferries for deployment on inter-island routes in the Canadian province's southern Gulf Islands and northern Vancouver Island regions.
What Is the Island Class Programme?
The Island Class programme is a multi-vessel procurement by BC Ferries to replace ageing diesel-powered ferries on minor routes connecting smaller island communities across British Columbia's coastal network. Each Island Class vessel carries approximately 47 vehicles and 300 passengers on short crossings typically ranging from 15 to 45 minutes.
The vessels are built as diesel-electric hybrids with battery-electric capability. On routes where shore charging infrastructure has been installed, they operate in full battery-electric mode, producing zero direct emissions during crossings. On routes without shore power, the diesel-electric drivetrain provides backup propulsion while still offering fuel efficiency improvements of 30 to 50 percent over the vessels they replace.
BC Ferries originally contracted for six Island Class ferries in 2019, with options for additional units. Strong operational performance and the acceleration of British Columbia's CleanBC climate strategy led to the exercise of options for four additional vessels, bringing the total programme to ten. The contract value for the full programme is estimated at approximately CAD $300 million.
Why Is Damen Building These Vessels in Romania?
Damen Shipyards, headquartered in the Netherlands, operates a global network of shipbuilding facilities. The Island Class ferries are constructed at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania, where labour costs and facility capacity are favourable for series production of mid-sized vessels. The Romanian facility has built multiple ferry series for operators in Europe, North America, and Australasia.
Series production at a single facility provides significant cost and quality advantages. Each vessel benefits from the fabrication experience accumulated on preceding hulls, with measurable improvements in build accuracy, outfitting time, and commissioning efficiency. Damen reports that build time for the tenth vessel was approximately 15 percent shorter than for the first hull in the series.
How Does the Island Class Perform Operationally?
BC Ferries has reported strong operational results from the Island Class vessels deployed since 2020. Battery-electric operations on the Powell River-Texada Island and Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island routes have demonstrated energy cost savings of approximately 75 percent compared to diesel propulsion. Maintenance costs are also lower, as electric drivetrains eliminate the lubrication oil changes, injector replacements, and exhaust aftertreatment maintenance associated with marine diesel engines.
Passenger satisfaction metrics have improved on routes served by Island Class vessels, driven by quieter operation, reduced vibration, and the elimination of diesel exhaust in passenger areas. On-time performance has also benefited from the vessels' manoeuvrability — the double-ended design eliminates the need for turning manoeuvres in constrained harbour approaches.
What Are the Shore Infrastructure Requirements?
Battery-electric ferry operations depend on shore-side charging infrastructure at terminal berths. BC Ferries has installed automated charging systems at multiple terminals, with each installation capable of delivering up to 2 MW of power to the vessel's battery banks during the turnaround period. The charging infrastructure connects to British Columbia's electrical grid, which is over 90 percent renewable — primarily hydroelectric — ensuring that battery-electric ferry operations achieve genuine emissions reductions on a well-to-wake basis.
Terminal modifications for shore charging include high-voltage electrical connections, transformer installations, automated plug-in systems on berth dolphins, and upgraded fire suppression systems for the charging equipment. These modifications carry capital costs of CAD $3 to $5 million per terminal but are offset by fuel cost savings within five to seven years.
Conclusion
The launch of the tenth Island Class ferry demonstrates that series production of hybrid-electric coastal vessels is commercially and operationally viable. BC Ferries' programme provides a replicable model for ferry operators worldwide facing fleet renewal decisions amid tightening emissions regulations. For port and terminal operators, the shift to battery-electric ferry operations introduces new infrastructure requirements but also delivers measurable improvements in air quality, noise, and operating costs at the terminals these vessels serve.