Damen electric ferries for City of Toronto

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with the City of Toronto in Canada for the delivery of two fully electric vessels, which are intended to boost sustainability in the region. The ferries will operate between the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in downtown Toronto and the Toronto Islands, a major tourist destination located in a high traffic area close to the shores of Lake Ontario.

Two fully electric ferries will transport tourists between downtown Toronto and the Toronto Islands. (Photo: Damen Shipyards Group)

The Toronto Ferries will be 50 meters long with a maximum beam of 13 metres. One of the vessels will transport passengers and vehicles and the other will transport passengers and bicycles.

According to a spokesperson for the City of Toronto, Damen was chosen for the newbuilding project following a comprehensive RFP process, emerging as the top-ranked supplier due to its successful track record, whcih includes delivery of more than 20 ferries to Canada in the last 10 years. The spokesperson went on to state that Damen excelled in such critical areas as experience, operational capabilities, engineering expertise and competitive pricing.

Damen is building the vessels at its Galati yard in Romania to a design produced by Quebec-based Concept Naval. The naval architect company has developed the vessel design over the last two years in close cooperation with both the client and with Damen.

“The City of Toronto is taking a big step forward for reduced emissions public transport with these new ferries,” Damen’s Product Director Ferries Henk Grunstra said of the project. “Fully electric vessels represent an ideal solution for a short route such as this one, within easy reach of charging infrastructure. We are looking forward to the construction of these ferries and to a successful collaboration with the City of Toronto and Concept Naval.”

Eric Garant, director general of Concept Naval, said the company is proud to partner with Damen on the 100% electric ferries for the City of Toronto. “This project is designed to meet the needs of the city and the many users traveling to the Toronto Islands,” adding that through the companies’ combined expertise, “we aim to provide a sustainable and efficient maritime transport service, at the forefront of technology, contributing to a greener future for the Toronto community.”