Damen Shipyards Group has achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing construction program for BC Ferries’ Island Class vessels. On 19 November, the Island Class 9, was successfully launched at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.
The launch follows another key achievement in October, when the shipyard completed the grand block assembly of Island Class 10. Both vessels are part of a four-ferry order placed by BC Ferries, building on the successful delivery of Island Class vessels 1 through 6 between 2019 and 2021.
The four ferries currently under construction are based on the Damen 8117 (E3) Electric Ferry design. Damen is constructing the vessels to be fully electric-ready. The shipbuilder is installing the vessels with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion. Once the required shoreside infrastructure is available, BC Ferries is planning to operate the vessels using 100% electrical energy.
Following delivery, Damen will continue to provide support to the vessels, as it does currently to BC Ferries’ other Island Class vessels, from its Service Hub in Victoria.
Once in operation, Island Class vessels 7-10 will provide services connecting Nanaimo with Gabriola Island, and Campbell River with Quadra Island. The ferries are capable of carrying up 47 vehicles and 390 passengers.
