B.C. Ferries approved for 4 out of the 5 new vessels it had requested

The British Columbia Ferries commissioner has approved the purchase of four replacement vessels for the system's major routes, one fewer than B.C. Ferries had requested.

"We're disappointed and obviously at odds with this decision," said Nicolas Jimenez, president and CEO of B.C. Ferries. "While four vessels will still provide some much-needed benefits, we believe we're missing a critical opportunity to build a more resilient transportation network for the future at a lower price now."

The four approved vessels are diesel-battery hybrids to replace the aging Queens of Alberni, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Cowichan.

The fifth vessel was requested to meet predicted demand increase and to provide long-term cost savings, according to Jimenez.

"B.C. Ferries believes that a fifth vessel, which will be needed in the future, will only get substantially more expensive and put even more upward pressure on fares over time," he said.

This is the most affordable a fifth vessel will ever be, due to unique market conditions, fixed-price bids, and economies of scale. Building a series of five now will be significantly cheaper than building one or two at a time.

Commissioner Eva Hage said the four new ferries, the first of which is expected to go into service in 2029, will bring a "much-needed increase in capacity and reliability." 

"A fifth vessel, however, is neither essential nor affordable at this time, and approving it would be fiscally irresponsible," she said.

B.C. Ferries said the commission's decision highlights the systemic funding gap in sustaining B.C.'s marine highway and disagreements about future demand and acceptable levels for waits, delays and mechanical breakdown.

The four new vessels are expected to increase capacity on the busiest routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island by 12 per cent. A fifth ferry would have increased capacity by up to 40 per cent, according to B.C. Ferries.

"We hear from customers every single day. We see the full fares, the long waits, and the economic impact of service constraints," said Jimenez. "Our customers have been very clear and very loud; they need more sailing capacity and fewer delays and a ferry system that can keep up with demand."

A decision on a shipbuilder is expected in the early summer. The price tag for the four vessels is confidential pending final approval of the project.

B.C. Ferries delivers over 23 million passenger rides a year, according to Jimenez. Decisions made by the commission are final.