BC Ferries’ fifth Island-class Ro-Pax hits the water

BC Ferries has confirmed that a new Island-class battery hybrid Ro-Pax vessel was launched into the water at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania on Thursday, February 18.

The yet-to-be named ship is the fifth in a series of six Island-class ferries slated for the BC Ferries fleet. When in operation, it will be one of two Island-class vessels assigned to the Nanaimo Harbour–Gabriola Island route.

Work will continue on the new ship until scheduled sea trials in June 2021. Following successful sea trials, the vessel will be delivered to Point Hope Maritime in Victoria in late 2021 for final preparations.

The two-ship service is scheduled to begin on the Nanaimo Harbour–Gabriola Island route by early 2022, replacing the older ferry Quinsam.

As with other Island-class ferries, the vessel will have capacity for 47 vehicles and up to 400 passengers and crew.