BC Ferries braces for busiest summer yet amid fleet strain and FIFA World Cup | Daily Hive

Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. (BC Ferries)

BC Ferries is preparing for one of its busiest summers yet, with passenger traffic expected to surpass last year’s record-setting season as tourism, the FIFA World Cup, and everyday travel continue to push the system to its limits.

The ferry company will initiate its Summer 2026 schedule on June 11 — two weeks earlier than usual — as it anticipates higher demand linked in part to the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver and growing travel across coastal communities.

In response to the anticipated heightened demand, Hullo Ferries has introduced additional late-night return trip sailings from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo on FIFA World Cup match days at BC Place Stadium.

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In Summer 2025, BC Ferries carried 10.3 million passengers and 4.1 million vehicles, figures the ferry company expects to rise again this year.

“For many people, ferry travel is not optional — it’s how they get to work, access healthcare, connect with family, and move goods,” said Brian Anderson, vice-president of strategy and planning for BC Ferries, in a statement.

“We anticipate that demand for ferry travel will continue to grow, especially during peak season when the system is under the most pressure. Our focus is on delivering reliable service with the fleet and capacity we have today, while planning for the additional vessels needed to support expected future demand.”

To prepare for the summer rush, BC Ferries highlighted that it completed refits and maintenance projects on 22 vessels, including 10 dry dockings, during what it described as one of the company’s most intensive maintenance periods in recent years.

The company also hired more than 630 seasonal employees and added 1,800 roundtrips across the network for the peak travel season. It has added sailings on key travel days, increased security presence, increased night-shift staffing, and added to the number of available ticket booths to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

Additional service will include extended two-ship operations between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale, along with more than 120 extra sailings during shoulder-season periods in spring and fall 2026.

BC Ferries is also increasing reservation space on several routes and expanding access to lower-cost Saver fares to encourage passengers to travel during less congested times. A total of 425,000 Saver fares, starting at $39 for a vehicle and driver, will be available on five routes between June and September 2026.

The company notes that operational flexibility remains limited because all 37 vessels in its fleet are required during the summer season, leaving little backup capacity if mechanical problems or staffing shortages occur.

“We know how frustrating it is for our customers when sailings are delayed or cancelled, and that’s exactly why all these preparations matter,” said Melanie Lucia, vice-president of customer experience of BC Ferries, in a statement this week.

“It’s the work we do in the months leading up to peak season to prepare the fleet, strengthen operations, and be ready to minimize the impact of disruptions and respond when they do happen. We’re heading into peak season ready and realistic, focused on delivering reliable service and supporting customers with clear, timely information and delivering the best possible experience during busy travel periods.”

As part of its contingency strategy, BC Ferries shared that it has updated emergency response protocols and prepared for disruptions, such as wildfires, extreme heat and severe weather. A public “Summer Service Contingency Plan” has been released outlining how the company plans to respond to service interruptions.

The company is also continuing longer-term expansion efforts. Four new Island Class vessels are expected to arrive from a European shipyard between 2026 and 2027 to serve minor routes. This will grow the fleet of Island Class vessels to a total of 10, with the first six vessels previously arriving in 2020 and 2021.

BC Ferries has indicated the expanded Island Class fleet will eventually increase vehicle capacity by 71 per cent and passenger capacity by 135 per cent on the minor routes they serve.

Additionally, four larger “New Major Vessels” — controversially ordered in 2025 from a shipyard in Mainland China that is owned by the Chinese government — are scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031 to serve on the busiest routes linking Metro Vancouver with Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

These new generation ships will be the largest vessels ever built for BC Ferries — surpassing even the two Spirit-class flagships, the Spirit of British Columbia and the Spirit of Vancouver Island.

BC Ferries took issue with the independent BC Ferries commissioner’s March 2025 decision to allow the company to order four New Major Vessels instead of the five it had requested, with the commissioner citing concerns that a larger order could result in higher fare increases to cover the added costs. At the time, the company argued the decision was grossly shortsighted, saying it would leave the fleet with less capacity and remove added fleet redundancy when vessels are taken out of service unexpectedly, while also driving up costs in the future when the fifth vessel has to be ordered later as part of another procurement process.

Meanwhile, travellers between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo this summer will continue to face mandatory advance bookings for vehicles because of major construction work to improve Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, which has reduced this terminal’s vehicle staging space by roughly 25 per cent.

BC Ferries is also warning travellers that it is monitoring soaring global fuel prices — due to the U.S. war in Iran — and may introduce a temporary fuel surcharge if necessary.

The company is encouraging travellers to reserve sailings early, travel during off-peak hours where possible, and consider walking on or using transit connections to reduce congestion at terminals.

As can be expected, the busiest travel days during summer long weekends are Thursdays and Fridays, leaving Metro Vancouver, and Mondays returning to Metro Vancouver. The busiest long weekends are BC Day, Labour Day, and Canada Day.

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