By
Laura Hyde |
Damen Shipyards Group has floated out the ninth Island-class ferry at its shipyard in Galati, Romania. The ferry is one of four on order for Canadian operator BC Ferries.
The 390-passenger ferries currently under construction are based on the Damen 8117 (E3) Electric Ferry design. Damen is constructing the vessels to be fully electric-ready by installing diesel-electric hybrid propulsion systems. BC Ferries will operate the vessels using 100 per cent electrical energy once the required shoreside infrastructure is available.
The float out of Island-class 9 was marked with a ceremony at Damen’s shipyard in Galati, Romania
Once completed, Island-class vessels 7-10 will operate services for BC Ferries around Vancouver Island in British Columbia, connecting Nanaimo with Gabriola Island, and Campbell River with Quadra Island.
Damen has previously built and delivered six Island-class ferries for BC Ferries between 2019 and 2021. It will continue to provide support for the vessels, as it does currently, from its Service Hub in Victoria, Canada.