Canada’s B.C. Ferries, which promotes itself as one of the
largest ferry operators in the world, has presented a bold plan for the
electrification of a third of its fleet in support of Canada’s environmental
goals and shipbuilding industry. The plan, which would take up to seven years
to complete, focuses on the company’s routes that operate along Vancouver
Island.
Saying that the effort could be one of the most significant
carbon-reduction programs in the maritime industry and a major boost to
Canadian industry, B.C. ferries proposes with government support to carry out
both the conversion of existing ferries as well as the construction of new
vessels domestically in Canada.
The price tag for the project is expected to exceed C$1
billion ($800 million). Previously, the company has said that it would cost up
to 50 percent more to build ferries domestically in Canada. For this new
project, it is calling on the federal and provincial governments to provide
funding to cover the differential between domestic and international
shipbuilding. B.C. Ferries is also proposing that Hydro Canada underwrite the
approximately C$150 million cost of converting the nine terminals to provide
charging capabilities for the electrified ferries.
B.C. Ferries is currently building six new hybrid
diesel-electric ferries at the Damen shipyard in Romania. The vessels, which
are currently beginning delivery and testing, were designed for fully electric
operations when the technology becomes available. In the first phase of the new
plan, these six ferries would be converted to full electric drive at a Canadian
shipyard.
The first of the new ferries, the Island Aurora, was
recently delivered by Damen and is scheduled to run its first test runs in
February along the route serving Vancouver Island. While travel is currently
limited in Canada to essential travel, passengers and cars will be permitted
aboard the ferry for two days as the company develops information from the
operations about efficiencies and loading as it prepares for the introduction
of the new class of ferries in 2022. In December 2020, Damen launched the
fourth of the ferries, which have the capacity to carry at least 47 vehicles
and up to 400 passengers and crew depending on the configuration. In 2022,
these ferries are scheduled to begin operation on three of B.C. Ferries’ 25
routes, replacing older diesel-powered vessels.
In the second phase of the electrification plan, B.C.
Ferries proposes building seven additional electric driven ferries. All of
these ferries would be built at a Canadian Shipyard and possibly a yard located
in the province of British Columbia.
B.C. Ferries is currently preparing a presentation for the
federal government to develop support for the plan. The electrification plan
also aligns with political promises made during the recent both to bolster
Canadian shipbuilding and accelerate environmental initiatives.