Crews will be at the Nanaimo Harbour ferry terminal for the next few months. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

terminal work

Work starts on Nanaimo Harbour ferry terminal revamp

Oct 28, 2025 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — Over the next several months crews are upgrading terminals on both sides of the Nanaimo to Gabriola Island route.

Extending the life of both terminals as opposed to replacement was selected by B.C. Ferries as the best path forward, which includes establishing on-shore electric charging infrastructure.

According to a service notice from the company, work began on Monday, Oct. 27 at the Nanaimo Harbour terminal, with the work expected to be done in January.

As opposed to replacing both terminals, a project to extend the life of the Nanaimo Harbour and Descanso Bay ferry terminals are taking place over the next several months. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Berth life extension work includes replacing and strengthening the timber trestle, vehicle ramp, apron and electrical work.

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According to BC Ferries, work will be done Monday through Friday during the construction schedule between sailings from 7:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m., or overnight work.

“Overnight work is required for some aspects of the project to minimize disruption to terminal operations and avoid impacts to scheduled crossing times. All efforts will be made to minimize construction noise, and we will keep neighbours informed of the exact timing and anticipated impacts of any night work in advance

In January through May, BC Ferries expects work to extend the life of the Gabriola Descanso Bay terminal on Gabriola Island will be done.

Additional information on work to upgrade both terminals can be found here.

Future work at the Nanaimo Harbour terminal outside the scope of this project includes adjustments to the waiting room and vehicle landing area.

Enhancements to the Nanaimo Harbour and Descanso Bay ferry terminals are tied to a pair of new battery-electric hybrid Island Class vessels to operate on the route, with the first scheduled to enter service on the route next spring, according to BC Ferries.

On-shore charging infrastructure will be established for the ferries, which are similar in size and scope to the two hybrid serving the route now.

The Campbell River to Quadra Island route will also receive new Island Class battery-electric ferries, while existing hybrid ferries will then be redeployed to the Crofton to Salt Spring Island, Quadra Island to Cortes Island and Denman to Hornby Island routes.

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