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February 21, 2025
BC Ferries reinforces the need to build five New Major Vessels with supplemental filing
VICTORIA, BC - BC Ferries has submitted a supplemental application to the British Columbia Ferries Commissioner reaffirming that building five New Major Vessels (NMVs) remains the most cost-effective and responsible solution for customers and coastal communities amid rising global economic uncertainty.
BC Ferries originally proposed building five vessels and life-extending two legacy ships, increasing the major vessel fleet from 11 to 12. The company’s global procurement process, which launched in September 2024 and before the risk of current international economic uncertainties arose, has resulted in fixed-price bids that are expected to provide greater cost certainty and reduce financial risk. As a result, an alternate option has been developed to build five vessels now and extend the life of only one ship, ultimately maintaining the major fleet at 11 ships. While BC Ferries still recommends the original plan as the best long-term solution, this alternative presents a financially responsible way to ensure system sustainability.
“Any option that doesn’t enable us to build five New Major Vessels now means our customers will be paying more for worsening service levels in the future as expected demand continues to grow,” said Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries. “BC Ferries plays an essential role in BC's domestic supply chain, the growth of coastal economies, and the continued vibrancy of the provincial tourism industry. Based on our analysis, building five vessels now is the most prudent approach to supporting affordability, reliability, and the long-term sustainability of the ferry system.”
BC Ferries’ fleet is already stretched, with consecutive years of record-setting passenger volumes. British Columbia's population is projected to increase up to 44% by 2046, according to BC stats, with demand for ferry travel expected to continue rising, yet major route capacity hasn’t meaningfully increased in nearly 30 years.
- Sailings on the major routes—which on average generate over 82% of all customer fare revenues—ran at an average 92% capacity during the peak season in 2024, with many sailings fully booked days in advance.
- When ships are running at higher capacity, the potential for delays increases significantly. On-time performance has dropped to almost its lowest level in years because crews are taking additional time to squeeze extra vehicles on.
- In two months alone last summer, almost a quarter of a million customers were impacted by waits, many related to mechanical breakdowns of aging vessels.
- Communities and the public are already facing the burden of these delays. The BC Trucking Association recently estimated that a single sailing cancellation can cost the sector well over $100,000—costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers.
- BC Ferries has already been successful in implementing changes to significantly improve how demand is managed, by introducing Saver fares that shift traffic to off-peak sailings, adjusting schedules, and increasing the availability of reservations—but these measures have their limits.
The need for five vessels is also something BC Ferries’ customers feel strongly about. In a December 2024 survey of 2,000 customers, 95% of respondents agreed with the plan to add an additional vessel to the fleet. Customers made it clear that moving forward with these investments is critical to improving their travel experience.
With the sole authority to determine whether there is a need for five vessels, the Commissioner is reviewing BC Ferries’ new submission and will open a public comment period before issuing a final decision by March 14, 2025. For details on BC Ferries’ fleet renewal plans and the impact of these new vessels, visit the NMV page on BC Ferries’ website.
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