Damen Shipyards Group launched the Island Class 9 for BC Ferries at its Galati shipyard in Romania on November 19. The vessel will be fully electric-ready and is part of a four vessel order.
The launch follows another key moment in October, when the yard undertook the grand block assembly of Island Class 10. Before the contract for the four vessels, Damen already delivered the Island Class vessels 1-6 between 2019 and 2021.
Once in operation, Island Class vessels 7-10 will provide services connecting Nanaimo with Gabriola Island, and Campbell River with Quadra Island. The ferries are capable of carrying up 47 vehicles and 390 passengers.
Also read: VIDEO: Damen launches another ferry for BC Ferries
Fully electric-ready
The four ferries currently under construction are based on the Damen 8117 (E3) Electric Ferry design. Damen is constructing the vessels to be fully electric-ready. The shipbuilder is installing the vessels with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion. Once the required shoreside infrastructure is available, BC Ferries is planning to operate the vessels using 100 per cent electrical energy.
Following delivery, Damen will continue to provide support to the vessels, as it does currently to BC Ferries’ other Island Class vessels, from its Service Hub in Victoria.
Picture: Launch of the Island Class 9 at Damen Shipyards Galati (photo Damen).
