Louis Belcourt/ CKTZ News - Construction has officially begun on the first two of the four new battery-electric hybrid Island Class vessels at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.

“Today, the first steel plates were cut, marking the official start of production for our newest Hybrid Island Class ships,” said Ed Hooper, Executive Director of Shipbuilding at BC Ferries. “Their innovative design will also improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of our operations.”

These ships have multiple improvements including increased capacity and better environmental sustainability by incorporating a battery system powered by BC hydro electric, according to BC ferries.

The new vessels will enter service “around 2026 to 2027”, BC Senior Communications Advisor Colin Zak told CKTZ. They will travel the Nanaimo – Gabriola route and the Campbell River – Quadra route and “that’s going to help give us a little bit more capacity to ease some of the capacity issues we’re having on some of the other routes,” added Zak.