BC Ferries has submitted their application to the British Columbia Ferries Commissioner to procure five new vessels, addressing increasing demand, aging ships, and the need for more efficient service on its busiest routes. Additionally, BC Ferries plans to extend the operational life of two C-Class vessels, the Queen of Surrey and the Queen of Oak Bay, through local shipyard upgrades.
For BC’s trucking industry, reliable ferry service is essential. Without additional capacity, BC Ferries projects that peak-season demand will exceed available space by 2035, leading to even longer wait times and disruptions for businesses, residents, and tourists alike. Freight delays drive up costs across supply chains, with a single sailing cancellation costing the trucking sector well over $100,000—a cost ultimately passed on to consumers.
BCTA supports BC Ferries’ request for additional vessels to ensure that commercial transportation can continue operating efficiently. These quieter, lower-emission vessels will help reduce sailing waits and improve schedule reliability, benefiting not only the economy but also BC Ferries’ sustainability goals. A strong ferry system supports a strong BC—one that keeps goods, people, and local economies moving.
Read the op-ed piece by Bruce Williams, CEO, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, and Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) on their website here.
*Courtesy of BC Ferries. The necessary retirement of aging vessels means maintaining the status quo is no longer an option.
