BC Ferries has announced plans to build three new vessels.
The ferry commissioner has given the corporation permission to construct three new intermediate class ships – two will replace the 48-year-old Queen of Burnaby and the 49-year-old Queen of Nanaimo, while the third will augment service on the Tsawwassen-Southern Gulf Islands route.
BC Ferries says it will issue a request for pre-qualification later this month, and Canadian and international shipyards are invited to take part. A contract will be awarded by January.
Two of the new vessels should be in service by 2016, the third in 2017.