The Island Kwigwis is one of two hybrid ferries to begin servicing the Nanaimo-Gabriola Island route in 2022. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

new ferries

Construction starts on new Gabriola ferries, Gulf Island capacity issues to benefit

Jul 17, 2024 | 12:29 PM

NANAIMO — Work has begun at a European shipyard to build the first two of four new battery-electric hybrid ferries.

Two of the new Island Class vessels will serve the Nanaimo Harbour to Gabriola Island run, while the other two will be assigned to the Campbell River to Quadra Island route, noted BC Ferries spokesperson Colin Zak.

With those routes already benefiting from a pair of similar vessels with the same 47 vehicle capacity, those boats will be redeployed.

“The goal was to time the construction of these vessels to revitalize our fleet going forward,” Zak said.

He told NanaimoNewsNOW the new boats are expected to enter service by 2027.

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As a result, Island Class vessels would then be shifted to the Denman Island-Hornby Island route, as well as Quadra Island-Cortes Island, and Crofton to Salt Spring Island (Vesuivus Terminal).

From a capacity perspective, the shift will dramatically impact the Denman-Hornby and Quadra-Cortes runs the most, which have limited existing car capacities of 21 and 26 cars, respectively.

Travellers often navigate long lines attempting to depart Hornby and Cortes Islands, particularly in the peak summer period, due to existing capacity restraints.

Zak said similar technology and protocols on the modernized ferries is also significant as some crew members may not be licensed to work on all types of vessels.

“It’s going to lead to reduced crew cancellations because we’re going to have more the same class of ferries serving multiple routes, it’ll be easier for us to ship one crew to another vessel.”

Zak said the quieter and more environmentally friendly vessels will contribute toward provincial emission-reducing targets.

He noted work continues to develop on-shore charging technology for their Island Class vessels to eventually convert to fully electric.

“As we move forward with more development, new vessels and keep revitalizing our fleet, running them on electricity and other forms of renewable energy is going to be critical.”

While Zak noted project budget remains confidential, approval of the purchase by the BC Ferries Commissioner in 2023 noted the four ships would cost more than $50 million, and associated electrification of ferry terminals more than $40 million.

BC Ferries introduced the Island Gwawis and Island Kwigi to service between Nanaimo and Gabriola in April 2022, replacing the MV Quinsam.

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