B.C. Ferries said its summer schedule will begin June 11, two weeks earlier than usual, as it prepares for a busy travel season that includes an expected surge in visitors for FIFA World Cup matches in Vancouver.
Officials warned the fleet will operate at full capacity, with little flexibility if a vessel must be taken out of service.
Brian Anderson, B.C. Ferries vice-president of strategy and planning, used a soccer analogy in a nod to this year’s FIFA events.
“Our peak season is a bit like playing the full 90-minute match with no substitutes,” said Anderson. “In the event there’s an injury that puts us down a player — or a ship, in this case — we can’t bring a replacement in from the bench.”
B.C. Ferries said demand is expected to grow again this summer, after carrying 10.3 million passengers and 4.1 million vehicles last peak season.
Demand is expected to be especially high on the routes connecting Vancouver Island to the lower Mainland over weekends and holiday travel windows.
“At the same time, we’re operating in an environment with continued volatility, including fuel prices, supply chain pressures, and increasing demand across the transportation network, all of which add pressure to the system during an already peak period,” said Anderson.
He added B.C. Ferries may implement a temporary fuel surcharge to help offset higher fuel costs.
An aging fleet has long presented challenges for B.C. Ferries because older ships require more frequent repairs. Three vessels will mark their 50th year in service in 2026: the Queen of Alberni, the Queen of Coquitlam and the Queen of Cowichan.
B.C. Ferries said it completed 22 vessel refits and maintenance projects ahead of peak travel season, in addition to regular maintenance on all 37 vessels.
The company said other preparations include adding 1,800 round trips, increasing staffing and training, and expanding reservation availability.
B.C. Ferries is set to add at least eight new vessels to its fleet over the next five years, including four new island-class vessels by next year.
Anderson said one of those island-class vessels, the Island xwsaĺux̌ul, recently arrived in B.C. waters from a Romanian shipyard. It’s expected to enter service this summer on Route 19 between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island.
Melanie Lucia, vice-president of customer experience, said BC Ferries has also introduced new booking alerts and an online waitlist tool for certain routes, so customers can see cancelled or newly available spaces more easily.
“Space availability can still change based on factors like customer no-shows, the mix and size of vehicles arriving at the terminal, and the ability of our deck crews to safely maximize loading capacity,” said Lucia.
“Our message to customers is simple: plan ahead, book early, travel off-peak where possible, and give yourself plenty of extra time,” she said.
The province has said more than 350,000 soccer fans are expected to flock to Vancouver’s BC Place stadium for the seven World Cups matches between June 13 and July 7. Events are also taking place elsewhere across the province to celebrate the tournament.
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