May 27, 2026
BC Ferries introduces Summit Class as part of major fleet renewal
Summary:
- BC Ferries introduces the Summit Class of New Major Vessels
- First four vessels named Summit Arbutus, Summit Cedar, Summit Maple, and Summit Spruce reflecting BC's natural environment
- New vessels support long-term fleet renewal and are expected to increase capacity and improve reliability on some of BC Ferries’ busiest routes
VICTORIA, BC – BC Ferries has announced the names for its New Major Vessels, introducing the Summit Class with individual vessels named after trees found across British Columbia.
The first four vessels will be named Summit Arbutus, Summit Cedar, Summit Maple, and Summit Spruce.
“We heard clearly through the naming process the importance of connecting these vessels to the natural environment of British Columbia and to the communities they serve – and that’s reflected in the vessel names,” said Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries. “Many of our largest ships are approaching the end of their expected service life, and these new vessels are a critical part of renewing service on our busiest routes. We believe that the first four Summit Class vessels will play an important role in improving reliability, adding capacity and strengthening the system over the long term.”
The names were shaped through input from employees and a representative group of external participants through a facilitated workshop. Those discussions pointed to a strong preference for names that reflect the coast, natural environment, and the communities BC Ferries serves.
The Summit Class reflects BC’s diverse landscapes – from coast to interior to the north – and the role these vessels play within the broader system. Naming individual vessels after trees in BC creates a consistent, recognizable approach grounded in landscapes shared across the province and visible along the province’s coastline.
“Arbutus, cedar, maple and spruce are some of the most recognizable trees in British Columbia - they’re central to our forests, reflect a long tradition of environmental stewardship, and help define the province’s landscape,” said Robert Guy, professor emeritus in the Faculty of Forestry at UBC. “It’s fitting to see those names on vessels that so many British Columbians rely on to connect with family, support communities and keep people and goods moving along key coastal routes.”
The New Major Vessels project is a key part of BC Ferries’ long-term fleet renewal program. The first four vessels in the Summit Class were approved by the BC Ferry Commission in 2025 and are expected to enter service beginning in 2029, with all four vessels anticipated to be in service by 2031.
“As we build the Summit Class, consistency matters,” added Ed Hooper, Head of Fleet Renewal at BC Ferries. “We are designing these vessels as a standardized Class so they can operate interchangeably across our major routes. Today, operating multiple vessel types can limit flexibility when issues arise. The Summit Class will be a fleet of identical, interoperable vessels, which makes it easier to move vessels when and where they’re needed, aligning seamlessly with terminal infrastructure, and enabling consistent crewing and scheduling – ultimately helping BC Ferries to deliver more reliable service for our customers.”
“BCFMWU members will operate, load, repair, maintain and staff the new Summit Class vessels, continuing the work they do every day to keep coastal communities connected,” said Eric McNeely, President of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union. “Behind every sailing, on every vessel, are skilled workers who move people and goods safely and reliably, supporting communities across British Columbia. Their knowledge, experience and commitment keep ferry service moving for the people that rely on it every day.”
Designed for the busiest routes, each Summit Class vessel is designed to carry up to 360 standard-sized vehicles and up to 2,100 passengers and crew – an increase of approximately 80 more vehicles and over 1,000 additional passengers compared to some of the vessels they will replace. The vessels are expected to improve capacity, reliability, and help meet growing demand, which has continued to increase in recent years.
“Naming these vessels marks an important milestone, but what matters most is the service they will deliver for our customers,” Jimenez added. “These ships are designed to bring more capacity, more flexibility, and more resilience to our busiest routes at a time when demand continues to grow and many of our vessels are aging. This investment is about strengthening the system for the long term while continuing to deliver safe, reliable service today.”
These four new Summit Class vessels will replace four of the oldest ships in the fleet. However, a number of other vessels are also aging, and maintaining them requires more specialized work, longer lead times for parts, and more frequent inspections – all of which can significantly impact reliability and cost. These realities underscore the need to continue renewing the aging fleet over time.
Additional Summit Class vessels are expected to be added in the future as part of the long-term fleet renewal program. Any future vessels would require approval from the BC Ferry Commission, with decisions guided by affordability, safety and reliability.
For more information on the New Major Vessels project, watch our video introducing the Summit Class or visit: www.bcferries.com/new-major-vessels.
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