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New modern vessels for our busiest routes, coming soon

The New Major Vessels (NMV) project is the largest capital project in BC Ferries’ history. The project plans to deliver new vessels to service the busiest routes, addressing the urgent need to replace aging ships, address capacity constraints, prepare for future growth, and improve overall system resilience. Several of our existing ferries are reaching end of life, and we need to expand the size of our fleet to meet customer expectations.

We are not just replacing aging vessels but building for the future. By introducing new ships to replace our oldest vessels and extending the life of others where possible, we are enhancing fleet resilience and ensuring we have the capacity to accommodate future growth and minimize service disruptions, all while maintaining a focus on affordability for our customers. The NMVs design prioritizes comfort, accessibility, and environmental stewardship, aligning with passenger needs and preparing BC Ferries for future growth.
 

Four New Major Vessels approved – but more capacity is needed

In March 2025, our independent regulator, the BC Ferry Commission approved the procurement of four New Major Vessels (NMVs), marking a significant milestone in our ongoing fleet renewal efforts. However, the Commission rejected our proposal to build a fifth vessel, limiting our ability to add essential capacity on our busiest routes to meet the needs of BC’s growing population, the tourism industry, supply chains, and our economy. 

In December 2024, our application to the Commission proposed the procurement of five NMVs—four to replace the aging C-Class ferries, which are over 40 years old and increasingly prone to mechanical issues, and a fifth vessel to expand fleet capacity and resiliency. In February 2025, a supplemental application reinforced in detail that building five vessels now is not only necessary, but more cost-effective. Building five vessels now would have leveraged fixed-price bids from shipyards and economies of scale, giving greater certainty over long-term costs and enhancing service reliability.
 

Why we advocated for five vessels

Growing demand

BC’s population is projected to increase by 44% by 2046, yet major route capacity has barely grown in 30 years.
 

Capacity pressures

In 2024, peak-season sailings on our busiest routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland ran at 92% capacity, with many fully booked days in advance. Nearly 250,000 customers faced delays last summer, often due to aging vessels.
 

Economic impact

The BC Trucking Association estimates that a single sailing cancellation costs the sector over $100,000—costs ultimately passed on to consumers.
 

Rising costs

Securing a fifth vessel now would lock in fixed pricing and reduced future financial risk.
 

Support from the public and industry leaders

In a December 2024 survey of 2,000 customers conducted by BC Ferries, 95% of respondents agreed with the plan to add an additional vessel to the fleet. Customers made it clear that moving forward with these investments is critical to improving their travel experience.
 

What this decision means for you

Without a fifth vessel in this build phase, customers will continue to experience increasing waits and the impacts of breakdowns. While the four new vessels will be larger than those they will replace, demand is projected to grow even faster. This means an overall decline in capacity by the time the four ships enter the water, leading to longer waits for customers, negative economic impacts on communities, increased risks of delays in the supply chain, and potential slowdowns for coastal tourism industries. We remain committed to advocating for the long-term resilience of the fleet and will continue working with the Province to ensure sustainable, reliable ferry service for British Columbians.

Key milestones

  • September 16, 2024: We officially released the Request for Proposals (RFP) to pre-qualified shipyards, inviting bids to build the first five vessels, with contracts expected to be awarded in the spring of 2025, pending approval from the BC Ferries Commissioner
  • December 13, 2024: We submitted an application to the Commissioner to approve procurement of five vessels by 2029, which would allow for an additional 12th vessel on Major Routes—an investment that will bolster capacity, resiliency, and reliability for years to come.
  • February 21, 2025: We submitted a supplemental application to the Commissioner reaffirming that building five New Major Vessels remains the most cost-effective and responsible solution for customers and coastal communities amid rising global economic uncertainty.
  • March 31, 2025: The Commissioner, who has the sole authority to determine whether there is a need for five vessels, approved the procurement of four vessels
  • Spring – Summer, 2025: Shipyard to be awarded.
  • 2029 – 2031: The first of these new vessels are expected to enter service in 2029, with four operational by 2031. 

Key features of the New Major Vessels

Sustainability & environmental benefits
  • The New Major Vessels are built with future sustainability in mind, designed to support fully electric operation when the necessary infrastructure becomes available.
  • We proudly support CleanBC's goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. These hybrid vessels prioritize energy efficiency, running on bio/renewable fuels and advanced battery technologies. As infrastructure develops, these vessels are ready for conversion to fully electric operation, reflecting our commitment to environmental stewardship.
  • Propellers are specifically engineered to minimize underwater noise, helping to protect the southern resident killer whale population.
  • The new vessels will reduce fuel consumption and overall emissions, supporting a cleaner future for British Columbia.
Enhanced passenger amenities
  • The new vessels are designed for faster loading and unloading, which will improve schedule efficiency and reduce wait times during peak periods. With the addition of a 12th vessel on our Major Routes, we could enhance route resiliency year-round and address increased demand during peak seasons.
  • Passengers will enjoy a more reliable, efficient service with greater capacity, reduced wait times, and enhanced comfort. Features such as quicker boarding processes and modern amenities will ensure a positive travel experience, especially during high-demand periods.
  • New interior pet lounges on the passenger deck will provide a welcoming space for passengers travelling with pets.
  • Enhanced accessibility features, including wider walkways and conveniently located accessible washrooms, support a more inclusive travel experience for all passengers.
  • Additional amenities, such as kids’ play areas and new food options are also in the works, with more details to be shared as they become available.
Fleet resiliency and reliability
  • The introduction of a consistent class of vessels not only enhances the passenger experience but also streamlines operations for our crew.
  • Standardized vessel design increases efficiencies in crew training and allows for easier vessel redeployment during maintenance, minimizing disruptions. This approach bolsters fleet resiliency and reliability while reducing long-term operational costs.
  • Outside of providing the necessary additional capacity in the peak season, the additional vessel will provide much-needed service in the shoulder-season and off-season.
  • Throughout the year, the additional vessel will also provide critical resiliency to adapt when unexpected mechanical issues arrive, with more capacity to ensure we can still move people and goods quickly and efficiently.

Gallery

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Two conceptual renders of our New Major Vessels are the first look at what up to seven new ferries could look like when they enter operation starting in 2029.

Recent updates

FAQs

How did BC Ferries determine how many vessels are being procured?

BC Ferries has identified the need for seven New Major Vessels based on a strategic evaluation of our current fleet’s age, projected population growth, and future service demands. This approach not only addresses the replacement of aging ferries; it also expands the size our fleet to meet evolving customer expectations.
 
What is the expected timeline for these vessels to be completed and operational?
The first of the four new vessels will enter service in 2029, with the full set joining by 2031. This timeline ensures that we maintain service reliability while strategically scaling our capacity to meet increasing demand. By phasing the introduction of these vessels, we’re able to manage fleet renewal in a financially responsible way, providing operational flexibility to address capacity challenges on our busiest routes.

The second phase of the New Major Vessels project will be conducted with the aim to award shipbuilding contracts for the additional three vessels by 2033, which would mean those ships would enter service by approximately 2037.

Why start this project now, and not years ago?

BC Ferries’ fleet renewal plan has been in development for several years, but building new ships is a complex process that requires careful planning and significant financial investment. During this time, we’ve also focused on keeping our current vessels in service and optimizing schedules to meet demand.

Our goal is to ensure the new vessels not only address current capacity but are also prepared for future growth along the coast. It’s worth noting that a vessel replacement project was initiated in 2017-2018 and progressed to an RFP stage in 2019-2020, however it was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Which of the current vessels are retiring?  
The vessels that are being retired are as follows:
  • Queen of Alberni: Oct 2029
  • Queen of Coquitlam: Sept 2030
  • Queen of New Westminster: Oct 2030
  • Queen of Cowichan: Oct 2031

After their life extensions, we would expect the Queen of Surrey and the Queen of Oak Bay to be retired sometime after 2036. Retiring these vessels is a necessary part of modernizing our fleet. By introducing newer, more reliable ships to our fleet, we are increasing our ability to deliver seamless, efficient service.
Which routes will the new vessels service?
While specific routes are yet to be determined, the new vessels are designed to serve our busiest corridors between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Their increased capacity and efficiency will significantly reduce congestion, helping us better meet customer demand and ensuring more reliable service for coastal communities.
 
How will these new vessels affect fare prices for customers?
Our priority is to enhance service while keeping fares affordable for our customers. The phased approach allows us to manage costs effectively and reduce fare pressures, while ensuring that service reliability and capacity continue to improve. We work closely with the BC Ferry Commissioner to ensure our investments are aligned with maintaining fare affordability while delivering the reliable service that coastal communities rely on. Our current fare structure has been approved to 2028, so any changes would not take effect until after that time, pending approval from the Commissioner.
Why is a net new twelfth major route vessel needed?
The addition of a twelfth vessel to our Major Route fleet would ensure we have the capacity to accommodate future growth, minimize service disruptions, and extend the life of our fleet—all while maintaining a focus on affordability for our customers.

Outside of providing the necessary additional capacity in the peak season, the additional vessel will provide much-needed service in the shoulder-season and off-season. Our major vessels all come out of service annually for scheduled refits, and as demand is increasing, we are facing capacity constraints even outside of the peak season. With our biggest vessels undergoing maintenance in the fall and winter, we need the relief of an additional major vessel to meet the needs of BC’s growing population.

Having a new vessel for refit relief in the off-peak and shoulder seasons will also help us provide a consistent service offering to our customers year-round and allow more efficient crew familiarization and training, as we are reducing the number of vessel classes operating out of our major terminals. For example, at our Tsawwassen terminal, we will go from navigating the familiarization and training needs of four different vessel classes to those of only two vessel classes, meaning our crew will be able to switch between vessels and manage the frequent vessel changes during refit season much more efficiently.
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