BCFerries

Vaccine policies, higher than expected retirements and difficulty recruiting internationally because of the pandemic have all contributed to BC Ferries’ staffing challenges.

Vehicle and passenger traffic increased by 26 per cent and 43 per cent, respectively, although the company noted a $1.6 million loss, in the three month period ending Dec. 31.

The Duke Point ferry terminal will be closed for ramp upgrades on March 5.

BC Ferries will raise fares by one per cent starting March 1 due to fuel market conditions.

BC Ferries’ fourth and final Salish class vessel transited the Panama Canal over the weekend on its way home from a Polish shipyard.

BC Ferries is warning customers that a combination of issues, including the Omicron variant of COVID-19, could result in unplanned service disruptions on its routes in the coming months.

Multiple sailings on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route were cancelled today (Dec. 30) due to a lack of staff, BC Ferries has announced.

The Queen of New Westminster experienced frozen water pipes, washroom closures and unsafe conditions on the vehicle deck from the freezing weather, according to BC Ferries.

Salish Heron left Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdansk, Poland today (Dec. 22).

Island 6, as it is temporarily named, departed Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania Oct. 11 on a 72-day transoceanic journey.