About the vessel class
The Island Class features the most ships of any BC Ferries’ vessel class, with six currently in operation and four more under construction.The Island Class are battery-equipped ships, fitted with diesel-hybrid technology that makes them capable of full electric operations once shoreside charging infrastructure becomes available.
The Island Class are also a key part of BC Ferries’ ongoing work towards standardizing the fleet. By standardizing our vessel classes, we can reduce complexity across our operations, making it easier to train crews, stock spare parts, and assign vessels where they’re needed most. It also provides a more consistent travel experience for our customers and significantly reduces logistical, operational, training and maintenance costs.
Key features and benefits
Passenger comfort and accessibility
- The Island Class vessels feature a double-ended design for easy loading and unloading, featuring wide vehicle lanes, indoor pet areas, dedicated pedestrian paths, and bicycle parking spaces.
- Passenger lounges and washrooms are situated on the main deck for accessibility.
- Lounge areas have been built with passenger comfort in mind, with a variety of seating choices and charging stations.
- A sundeck with seating, windbreaks, and an accessible washroom provides a comfortable space to sit outdoors.
Propulsion and environmental features
- The Island Class vessels are battery-equipped diesel-hybrid vessels capable of operating exclusively on renewable electric power once shore-based charging infrastructure is available—advancing our commitment to sustainable marine transportation and environmental stewardship.
- The battery-electric propulsion system will reduce underwater radiated noise, which benefits marine life and enhances the onboard experience.
- Twin propellers and vibration-isolated machinery reduce underwater and ambient noise and allow for minimal wake wash.
Safety and vessel standardization
- The Island Class have state-of-art safety and fire suppression systems. The bridge, engine control room, and damage control room each allow remote monitoring and independent control of all safety systems.
- Two separate engine compartments are independently operated, meaning an incident in one compartment won't affect the other.
- Inflatable evacuation slides on the vehicle deck can be quickly deployed by a single crew member in the unlikely event of an emergency and are easy for passengers of all abilities to use.
- Standardized vessels offer operational flexibility—making it easier to redeploy ships across routes during refits or disruptions—while also ensuring a consistent customer experience.
- Engineered to navigate challenging coastal conditions, the Island Class ferries have demonstrated their durability by completing extensive transoceanic voyages under their own power, showcasing their capability to handle diverse weather conditions.
Four more Island Class vessels are on the way
Our fleet of Island Class ferries continues to grow with the construction of four more Island Class vessels at Damen Shipyards.
The first two vessels, the Island xwsaĺux̌ul and the Island sarlequun, are currently forecasted to start service by Summer 2026 on Route 19 between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island.
The second two vessels, the Island Gwa’yam and the Island K’asa, are currently forecasted to start service by early 2027 on Route 23 between Campbell River and Quadra Island.
With the introduction of these new Island Class vessels comes an opportunity to redeploy other vessels in the fleet:
The Island Gwawis and Island K’ulut’a will move to Route 6 between Crofton – Vesuvius Bay to provide two-ship service, replacing the Quinsam and allowing BC Ferries to increase daily round trips and boost vehicle capacity on this route.
The Island Nagalis will transition to Route 24 between Quadra – Cortes Island, replacing the Tachek and increasing vehicle capacity from 26 to 47 and passengers and crew space from 150 to 392.
The Island Kwigwis is slated to become the refit relief vessel once all four new Island Class vessels are in service.
The four new vessels will be nearly identical to the six Island Class ferries currently in service. However, they will include enhancements to support full battery-electric operation, such as larger energy storage systems, auxiliary systems, and upgraded electrical connections. These vessels will retain onboard diesel engines for flexibility on routes without shore charging infrastructure.