In a surprising twist, B.C. Ferries has confirmed that their four major vessels, set to launch by 2029, will not be built in Canada. This revelation raises eyebrows in a nation proud of its maritime craftsmanship.

Despite hopes for domestic production, Ed Hooper, B.C. Ferries’ executive director of shipbuilding, disclosed that no Canadian shipyards stepped up with proposals. Details are scarce, as the procurement process is still underway, but the situation has prompted questions about the future of local shipbuilding.

Although there were no bids from Canadian yards, Hooper mentioned that constructive discussions have been held with various local shipyards, hinting at possible future collaborations. He emphasized the critical role of the local industry in maintaining the fleet, assuring that those ties would continue.

B.C. Ferries remains optimistic about securing a qualified builder for these vessels, indicating that safety, reliability, and value remain top priorities in the selection process. While keeping costs manageable is essential, Hooper noted that the evaluation will focus on performance and fulfilling the needs of ferry users and coastal communities.

With hopes to award the contracts by June, this decision isn't a first for B.C. Ferries. The organization has a history of outsourcing its shipbuilding, previously commissioning electric vessels from Romania and others from Poland. Even the Coastal-class vessels built in Germany over a decade ago were a testament to this trend.

Local shipyard Seaspan, known for being the largest in the province, has expressed interest in bidding for these projects in the past but lacked the capacity to meet the tight deadlines set by B.C. Ferries.

As B.C. Ferries charts its course into the future, the community watches closely to see how the decision to outsource shipbuilding will impact local industries and maritime jobs.