Island xwsaĺux̌ul has arrived in B.C. waters after leading the first of four new Island Class vessels built in Romania to serve inter-island routes. (Image Credit: BC Ferries)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

fresh arrival

New ferry arrives, slated to serve Nanaimo-Gabriola route this summer

Jun 1, 2026 | 4:01 PM

NANAIMO — Leading a group of four new vessels built for smaller inter-island routes, a new ferry to serve the Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island route has arrived.

Recently built at a Romanian shipyard, BC Ferries announced the Island xwsaĺux̌ul has arrived in B.C. waters, representing the first of four Island Class vessels to be added to the fleet.

Snuneymuxw First Nation-inspired Island xwsaĺux̌ul (pronounced xwus-saw-la-khwahl) is expected to enter service this summer between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island’s Descanso Bay, dependent on successful sea trials.

The first of four new Island Class vessels expected to arrive in B.C. over the coming year, adding Island xwsaĺux̌ul to the Nanaimo-Gabriola Island run will see Island Kwigis redeployed, intended to eventually become a refit relief vessel once all four new Island Class vessels are in operation.

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“The vessel is designed to be battery-equipped, diesel-hybrid, and capable of operating exclusively on renewable electric power once shore-based charging infrastructure is available. This positions the vessel for future electric operation, with the goal of supporting a cleaner and quieter ferry system with reduced emissions and underwater radiated noise,” the BC Ferries release stated.

Island Class ferries are all designed to carry up to 47 vehicles, with passenger and crew capacity ranging between about 390 and 450 people, according to BC Ferries.

A second vessel to be called Island sarlequun (pronounced Sar-le-kwun), which means “people at Nanaimo Harbour”, is expected to be assigned to the Nanaimo-Gabriola route next year.

In 2022, a pair of Island Class vessels (Island Gwawis and Island Kwigis) began operating the Nanaimo-Gabriola Island 20-minute-long route.

Terminal upgrades are ongoing at Descanso Bay, after being completed on the Nanaimo side, which includes on-shore charging infrastructure.

New ferry deployments between Quadra and Cortes Island, as well as Crofton and Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) are planned with the expanding Island Class fleet.

Once all four Island Class vessels scheduled to arrive over the coming year are in operation, BC Ferries states they will become the company’s largest vessel class with 10 ships in total.

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by NanaimoNewsNOW staff

New ferry arrives, slated to serve Nanaimo-Gabriola route this summer

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