VICTORIA – Plans have been submitted to to the BC Ferries Commissioner to build five New Major Vessels (NMVs), which could prove be the largest capital investment in the organizations history.
With rising travel demands and increased population, 2024 showed BC Ferries operating its highest peak season traffic. The necessary retirement of aging vessels due to more frequent mechanical issues, and worsening capacity constraints has prompted the request to replace four aging vessels and add one new vessel to the fleet to be used on the busiest routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. This will reduce wait times and boost overall capacity by up to 28% for passengers and 19% for vehicles. The first of these vessels is expected to enter service in 2029, with five operational by 2031.
“BC Ferries is a marine highway, and we have a responsibility to provide reliable service to keep people and goods moving in British Columbia,” says Nicolas Jimenez, BC Ferries CEO. “We’ve heard from our customers that our busiest routes are too often fully booked during peak travel times, leaving many without access to the sailings they need. Without the addition of these vessels on our major routes, we’ll be unable to keep pace with the rising population and it’ll create a real impact on the economies of coastal communities.”
With global shipbuilding costs already rising over 40% in just the past four years, delaying the procurement of these vessels would lead to significantly higher costs in the future, including for customers. The project costs were already partially included in BC Ferries’ last fare application and work will continue with the Province to balance affordability with the reliable customer service.
The additional capacity of the NMVs is projected to enable nearly 130,000 incremental tourists to travel through the region.
“Destination BC is actively working to inspire more travelers to discover more destinations within BC – travelers who expect the provincial transportation infrastructure to support them through these journeys,” says Richard Porges, CEO, Destination British Columbia. “For our strategy to succeed, it is critical that BC Ferries have the capacity to meet rising demand and deliver reliable, enjoyable service for all.”
BC Ferries is a critical transportation link for the delivery of essential goods to BC’s coastal communities. The British Columbia Trucking Association estimates that ferry cancellations, breakdowns, and delays can cost the commercial transport sector upwards of $100 million per year, every dollar of which is passed on to consumers. As demand increases, capacity constraints on the ferry system will have real, immediate, and growing consequences. The first five NMVs are expected to enable an increase in commercial truck traffic that will see over $240 million worth of additional cargo transported in 2035.
“Without reliable goods movement, the impacts are sharp and acute. Groceries don’t make it to shelves, and critical resources can’t reach projects, causing delays and impacting communities,” shares Dave Earle, President and CEO of BC Trucking Association. “Dependable ferry service is crucial to ensuring the flow of goods that keeps BC’s economy moving. We believe these new vessels will help build a more resilient and sustainable transportation network for everyone, particularly during peak times, breakdowns, or refit season.”
The NMVs will deliver the certainty that is necessary for BC’s supply chain, introduce new employment opportunities in BC’s marine sector, and ensure that BC Ferries has the operational resiliency it needs to continue playing its critical role in economic growth for British Columbians. Introducing the first five NMVs will support 1,350 jobs in British Columbia, earning $87 million in wages and generating $140 million for the provincial economy.
Business Examiner Staff
