Canadian operator BC Ferries has launched the 10th and final Island Class vessel, the ‘Island K’asa’, at Damen Shipyards in Galați, Romania.
With four new vessels in the Island Class programme set to enter service between Summer 2026 and early 2027, the Island K’asa is scheduled to provide service between Campbell River-Quadra Island starting in early 2027. Island K’asa (pronounced KAH-sah), meaning otter, was named by the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, chosen because the otter is regarded a powerful guardian spirit.
Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO, BC Ferries, said: “Launching the final Island Class vessel is an important step in renewing our fleet and strengthening service for coastal communities. These vessels add space for more passengers and vehicles while helping us replace aging ships with modern, more efficient ones. That’s essential to keeping ferry service reliable for the people and communities who depend on it every day.”
Across the routes they serve, the Island Class vessels are expected to collectively deliver a 71% increase in vehicle capacity and a 135% increase in passenger capacity, compared to 2019.
Ed Hooper, BC Ferries Head of Fleet Renewal, added: “These vessels bring some really meaningful improvements for both customers and the environment. When compared to our older vessels, we believe that our passengers will notice and appreciate the more comfortable lounges and larger outdoor spaces on our new Island Class vessels, while behind the scenes the hybrid-electric propulsion and updated hull are designed to reduce emissions, underwater radiated noise and vessel wake. They’re also designed so we can operate on electric power once shore-charging infrastructure is in place, which we expect will help us move toward a cleaner and more efficient ferry system.”
With eight new vessels scheduled to enter service between 2026 and 2031, including the final four Island Class vessels and four new major vessels, BC Ferries says it is moving ahead on its most transformative fleet renewal programme.
Image: Tenth Island class ferry launch (source: Damen Shipyards)
