Damen Shipyards Galati has laid the keel of the first two of four fully electric ferries for BC Ferries, a Canadian ferry operator.
This keel laying ceremony starts a crucial phase in the development of the Island Class Ferries, which will soon increase the Damen-built vessels in the BC Ferries fleet to ten.
The transition to fully electric ferries follows the integration of four hybrid diesel-electric ships during the second phase of the programme.
These vessels set the stage for the adoption of fully electric technology, now made possible by the availability of renewable shore power.
The new ferries are expected to play a pivotal role in BC Ferries' ambition to slash emissions by 10,000t of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez said, "Reaching the keel laying stage brings us one step closer to putting these vessels into service. It's exciting to see our vision for fully electric ferries coming to life. These ferries will not only reduce our environmental impact, but also increase capacity, improve service reliability and provide a quieter, more efficient travel experience for our customers."
The new vessels, based on the Damen RoRo 8117 E3 design, will be capable of carrying up to 390 passengers and 47 vehicles.
They will serve the routes between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island, as well as Campbell River and Quadra Island, all situated on the Georgia Straight north of Vancouver city.
Besides, Damen will also provide the necessary charging infrastructure to enable quick battery recharging during passenger embarkation and disembarkation.
To guarantee the efficiency of the charging systems, Damen is conducting trials with a charging tower at the Galati shipyard.
Damen Area Sales Director Americas Leo Postma said, "Today's keel laying marks an exciting milestone in the development of the Island Class. Together, Damen and BC Ferries have been developing these ferries since 2016. We are very proud to have collaborated on such a large series of vessels, an achievement that is perhaps unique in the world of waterborne public transport.
"This is a testament to the excellent and long-standing relationship that exists between our two organisations. The result is a series of vessels suited to the specific requirements of BC Ferries and British Columbia and offering a considerable amount of commonality across the fleet."
Currently, Damen has contracts for six fully electric ferries at Galati, including the four Island Class Ferries set to be operational in Canada by 2027 and an additional two for the City of Toronto.