As BC Ferries looks to retire its six Queen ships, it’s moving forward with plans to replace them with seven new battery-diesel hybrids.

The company has issued a call for shipyards interested in building the new additions, with BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall saying this is “the first step in our procurement process.”

“Vessel replacement is a multi-year project that requires careful planning and execution,” said Marshall in a statement to Capital Daily. 

The six ships planned for retirement starting in 2029 include Queen of Coquitlam, Queen of Alberni, Queen of Cowichan, Queen of New Westminster, Queen of Surrey and Queen of Oak Bay. As these ships phase out, they’ll be replaced with the new hybrids between 2029 and 2032.

The new ships will carry 2,100 passengers and crew members, with two vehicle decks and three passenger decks, with routes operating between the Island and lower mainland, as well as the Sunshine Coast to the mainland.

The Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) put out to shipyards will close in December. 

While Marshall says the callout is open to shipyards both nationally and internationally, she says BC Ferries “[encourages] BC shipyards to review the RFEOI” in the hopes that building could take place locally.

The budget for the new hybrid ships will not be disclosed yet according to Marshall, as it could “compromise the competitive bidding process.”

The New Major Vessels program is the largest part of BC Ferries’ capital plan to modernize their fleet, with Marshall saying it will offer “enhanced customer experience, improved reliability and reduced environmental impact.”

Reliability has been a sore spot over the years for the ferry company that’s been plagued with frequent cancellations due to mechanical issues and staffing problems.

In October, the company pulled its application for terminal upgrades intended to enhance the check-in and boarding process, which would have required $25M+ in funding. It plans to refile the application eventually, though the timeline hasn’t been determined.

Sustainability advancements have also been tricky for the company, which paused its plans to electrify its Island Class fleet last month due to lack of provincial and federal funding, despite trying to meet the province’s mandated emissions targets through electrification