On 1 November 2024 Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania laid the keel for the first two of four fully electric ferries for BC Ferries.
The keel-laying ceremony marked an important milestone in the third phase of construction of the Island Class Ferries, which will bring the total number of Damen vessels in the BC Ferries fleet to ten.
During the recent second phase of the programme, Damen delivered four hybrid diesel-electric ferries. These reduced emissions vessels were intended to pave the way to the development of fully electric vessels.
Now, with availability of renewable shore power to charge the vessels, the four fully electric vessels will be able to conduct their services with zero emissions. As such, the ferries are making an important contribution to BC Ferries’ goal to reduce emissions by 10,000 tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
During the event, the traditions of shipbuilding were honoured when BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez laid a silver Canadian Dollar on the two keels. The 1 oz pure silver coin, depicts five orcas, reflecting the beauty of Canada’s west coast waters where the ferries will sail.
The ceremony was made particularly poignant by the fact that Damen constructed the second phase of Island Class Ferries during the Coronavirus pandemic. As such, any construction milestones were marked only by local, and low-key celebrations.
The vessels are based on the Damen RoRo 8117 E3 design. They will transport up to 390 passengers, together with up to 47 vehicles between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island, and Campbell River and Quadra Island.
In addition to the vessels, Damen will also supply BC Ferries with the charging facilities required to recharge the ferries’ batteries during (dis)embarkation. To ensure the success of the charging infrastructure, Damen will be conducting tests on a charging tower installed at the Galati yard.
