The Island Class is the largest vessel class in our fleet, with six vessels in service and four more entering service over the next year. Across the routes they serve, the Island Class vessels are designed to collectively deliver a 71% increase in vehicle capacity and a 135% increase in passenger capacity, compared to the vessels they are replacing. That translates into space for nearly 200 additional vehicles and over 2,000 additional passengers each day, improving access for people commuting for work, visiting family, and accessing essential services.
Their introduction has enabled more frequent sailings and two-ship service on select routes, reducing wait times and improving reliability for coastal communities.
The vessels are battery-equipped and feature diesel-hybrid technology. The four newest additions to the Island Class fleet are the first vessels in our fleet capable of operating fully on electricity once shore charging infrastructure is available.
The Island Class also supports our fleet standardization strategy, helping us operate more efficiently and deploy vessels where they are needed most.
Four new Island Class vessels entering service
Island xwsaĺux̌ul arrived in May 2026, and a naming ceremony was held at Point Hope Maritime on June 1. It will enter service on Route 19 between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island this summer. See the photo gallery and arrival video below.
Island sarlequun is forecast to enter service on Route 19 between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island by summer 2026.
The third and fourth vessels, Island Gwa’yam and Island K’asa, are forecast to enter service on Route 23 between Campbell River and Quadra Island by early 2027.
The benefits of these new vessels are anticipated to extend beyond the communities they directly serve. As the new ships enter service, BC Ferries plans to redeploy existing vessels across the system, with the goal of enhancing service reliability and capacity on multiple routes:
- Island xwsaĺux̌ul is expected to replace Island Kwigwis, which is planned to be temporarily redeployed to Route 23 between Campbell River – Quadra in summer 2026 and then become a refit relief vessel once all four new Island Class vessels are in service.
- As currently planned, this allows Island Nagalis to transition to Route 24 between Quadra – Cortes Island in summer 2026, replacing the retiring Tachek and increasing vehicle capacity from 26 to 47 and space for passengers and crew from 150 to 399.
- In 2027, two-ship service is planned to be introduced between Crofton – Vesuvius Bay, replacing the Quinsam with the goal of allowing BC Ferries to increase daily round trips and boost vehicle capacity on this route.
These four new vessels will be nearly identical to the six Island Class ferries currently in service. However, they will include enhancements to support full battery-electric operation, such as larger energy storage systems, auxiliary systems, and upgraded electrical connections. These vessels will retain onboard diesel engines for flexibility on routes without shore charging infrastructure.
The videos below share the meaning and pronunciation in hul’q’umi’num of the names gifted by Snuneymuxw First Nation for the first two new Island Class vessels arriving in 2026, as well as the arrival of Island xwsaĺux̌ul to the coast.
yutustana:t – Gena Seward-Wilson, a hul’q’umi’num language teacher, shares the meaning and pronunciation of Island xwsaĺux̌ul and Island sarlequun. We are grateful to Gena for her guidance.