On 22 May Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania launched the latest Island Class Ferry for BC Ferries. The vessel, a Damen RoRo 8117 E3, will become the seventh Damen vessel to sail in the Canadian organisation’s fleet.
The ferry is the first in an order of four battery-equipped diesel-hybrid vessels that will bring the total number of Damen vessels in the BC Ferries fleet to ten. The ferries will be capable of operating exclusively on electric power once charging infrastructure is in place at the terminals.
They will connect four coastal communities in British Columbia, operating between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island and Campbell River and Quadra Island, respectively.
The vessels will transport up to 47 vehicles and 390 passengers, recharging during passenger (dis)embarkation using renewable energy.
Week 21 saw quite some activity at the yard, says Executive Director Global Sales Leo Postma.
‘As well as the launch of the seventh vessel, the next day, on the 23rd, the yard also carried out the keel laying for the ninth Island Class vessel, and cut steel for the tenth. It’s great to see the projects making progress in this way, with so many milestone moments taking place simultaneously.’
BC Ferries’ Executive Director of Shipbuilding Ed Hooper joined the on-site team to mark these milestones, personally welding the coin during the keel-laying and joining the celebrations for the steel cutting and launch milestones.
As well as the vessels themselves, Damen is also supplying onshore charging equipment to BC Ferries. Following their delivery in 2027, Damen will continue to provide support for the ferries from its Canadian Service Hub located in Victoria.
