BC Ferries’ sixth Island-class Ro-Pax sails on delivery voyage

The sixth and final battery hybrid Ro-Pax vessel in a series ordered by BC Ferries has departed the Romanian shipyard where it was built and is now en route to Canada.

The journey will take approximately 60 days and will depend on the weather. The ferry will sail under its own power for the entire journey of 10,700 nautical miles across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal, and up the Pacific coast of North America until its arrival at Point Hope Maritime in Victoria, BC.

As with the three Island-class ferries that came before it, approximately one-third of the newbuild’s journey will be completed by using battery power with the main engines stopped. The batteries will be charged during the voyage by a diesel generator.

The Island-class ferries each have the capacity to carry 47 vehicles and up to 400 passengers and crew. All six were built by Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.

Click here for the other news, features and reviews comprising this month’s Passenger Vessel Week.