BC Ferries’ fourth Island-class Ro-Pax launched in Romania

BC Ferries’ fourth Island-class Ro-Pax ferry was launched into the water for the first time at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania on Thursday, December 17.

Work will continue on the new ship until scheduled sea trials in April. Following successful sea trials, the vessel will make its way to Point Hope Maritime in Victoria in fall 2021 for final preparations.

The yet unnamed ship is the fourth in a series of six Island-class vessels joining the BC Ferries fleet, and the second assigned to the Campbell River-Quadra Island (Quathiaski Cove) route. The two-ship service is scheduled to begin on the route in 2022 to replace the existing Powell River Queen.

Like its sisters, the fourth Island-class ferry will have battery hybrid propulsion and capacity for 400 passengers and crew as well as 47 vehicles.