Canadian ferry owner and operator BC Ferries has issued Requests for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) for the construction of five new major vessels.
The company informed that the bidding process is open to local, national and international shipyards, including consortia, and BC Ferries encouraged local and national companies to bid on these projects.
According to BC Ferries, the five new major vessels will reflect capacity and levels of service consistent with the current Coastal and Spirit Class vessels in size, capabilities and passenger amenities.
The new units are expected to start entering service in 2023 on BC Ferries’ major routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
“These vessels will be quieter and have a lighter ecological footprint than any we have ever built,” said Mark Wilson , BC Ferries’ Vice President of Strategy and Community Engagement.
These ships will replace the Queen of Alberni, Queen of New Westminster, Queen of Cowichan, and Queen of Coquitlam, and will introduce an additional vessel to the fleet to address the forecasted increases in vehicle and passenger traffic in the coming years, the company explained.
“We are building the low carbon coastal ferry system that will serve B.C. for the middle half of this century,” said Wilson.
“These vessels will provide additional capacity on our routes while continuing our ambition to be leaders in environmental stewardship.”
The next step in the tender process will be a Request for Pre-Qualifications, followed by a Request for Proposals.