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