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BC Ferries has announced that they will be rolling out hybrid electric vessels by 2020 as part of their Clean Futures Plan.
In the spring of 2017, BC Ferries awarded Damen Shipyards Group in the Netherlands a contract to build two “first in class” battery electric-hybrid vessels.
Those vessels, the Island Class, have successfully completed sea trials and will arrive in Victoria by January 2020.
Another four Island Class vessels are slated to go into service in 2022.
The ferries are battery powered, and when electric charging technology matures to make electricity available in the quantities required, they will operate the new ships as all electric ferries.
In the interim, the ships will use an on board low sulphur diesel hybrid system.
The total project budget, which includes financing and project management costs, is approximately $200 million.
The first two Island Class vessels will be deployed on the Powell River – Texada Island route and the Port McNeill – Alert Bay – Sointula Island route by mid-2020.
The third and fourth new vessels will service the Campbell River – Quadra Island route and the fifth and sixth new ships will serve the Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island route by 2022.
By replacing one larger ship with two smaller vessels on each of these routes, customers will receive more frequent service, increased passenger capacity per hour, reduced vehicle line-ups, improved safety and reduced congestion on local roads.
“It also eliminates the need to consume more greenspace to increase the size of terminal holding compounds by moving more traffic through the same amount of space,” explains BC Ferries.
The Island Class vessels will have the capacity to carry at least 47 vehicles and up to 300 – 450 passengers and crew depending on configuration.
In addition to reducing emissions, the ships are also completely outfitted with LED lighting, passenger lounge and solariums for great views along the journey.
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