20 BC Ferries vessels scheduled for refit this year, says engineering vice-president

BC Ferries has $900 million in capital expenditures planned for the next 12 years including enlarged shopping areas on passenger decks, new coffee shops, and new toilets.

About 20 of BC Ferries’ vessels will undergo a refit in 2024, with the company having modified its approach to compress the amount of time that takes, its vice-president of engineering said Wednesday.

In the maintenance and repair update, Stephen Jones said that compression will add put more pressure on its system, but ultimately give it a “bit more of a lead into summer.”

“Another major factor is having a relief vessel available to ensure we can continue to provide service while we’re working on the vessel that’s out of service,” he explained.

“The costs widely vary based on the size of the ship, but an average of about close to $5 million per refit.”

BC Ferries has $900 million in capital expenditures planned for the next 12 years, Jones said, including modifications to the Spirit vessels that allow them to run on diesel fuel and liquified natural gas, as well as enlarged shopping areas on passenger decks, new coffee shops, and new toilets.

Earlier this month, BC Ferries awarded a contract to build four new hybrid-electric vessels to be ready to sail by 2027. Last year, that cost was estimated to be over $50 million, while associated electrification of ferry terminals would add another $40 million.

With regard to a major vessel that’s been drydocked since last August — the Coastal Renaissance — Jones said repairs are “on schedule.” However, its date for returning to the water after a motor failure has already been delayed three times.

“We expect to see that vessel back in service in March,” Jones said. “The Coastals have been a reliable workhorse for us and we look forward to having them all back in service this summer.”