Vancouver's Electric Ferry Expansion: New Routes and Sustainable Transit - News Directory 3

Vancouver’s Electric Ferry Expansion: New Routes and Sustainable Transit

April 18, 2026 Victoria Sterling Business
News Context
At a glance
  • Vancouver Park Board commissioners have voted unanimously to support a passenger-only electric ferry service connecting downtown Vancouver's Coal Harbour neighbourhood to Bowen Island and Gibsons on the Sunshine...
  • The proposal, presented by Victoria-based CIRQL Ferries, would operate from the Harbour Green Dock in Coal Harbour, with service potentially beginning in 2028 following further negotiations and approvals.
  • The electric ferry would provide a 40-minute trip to Bowen Island and a 70-minute trip to Gibsons, offering an alternative to existing BC Ferries routes that currently operate...
Original source: vancouverisawesome.com

Vancouver Park Board commissioners have voted unanimously to support a passenger-only electric ferry service connecting downtown Vancouver’s Coal Harbour neighbourhood to Bowen Island and Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast.

The proposal, presented by Victoria-based CIRQL Ferries, would operate from the Harbour Green Dock in Coal Harbour, with service potentially beginning in 2028 following further negotiations and approvals.

The electric ferry would provide a 40-minute trip to Bowen Island and a 70-minute trip to Gibsons, offering an alternative to existing BC Ferries routes that currently operate out of Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, approximately a 20-kilometre drive away.

CIRQL Ferries states the service would be all-electric and zero-emission, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuel-powered transportation while maintaining public access to the waterfront and improving interregional connectivity for residents and visitors.

The Harbour Green Dock, originally constructed in 2003, has been underutilized and costly to maintain due to design issues and damage from unauthorized vessels, making it a suitable candidate for redevelopment as a ferry terminal under the proposal.

The Vancouver Park Board’s endorsement means city staff will now proceed with negotiating a formal agreement with CIRQL Ferries to advance the project, which includes plans for a charge barge, publicly accessible viewing platform, and dock for short-term recreational use at the site.

Supporters of the initiative, including CIRQL founder Callum Campbell, emphasize the opportunity to revitalize Vancouver’s waterfront as a functional transportation corridor beyond recreational use, aligning with broader goals of sustainable urban mobility in the region.

While the project remains subject to further regulatory and operational reviews, the unanimous support from the Park Board marks a significant step toward launching a new electric passenger ferry service in Metro Vancouver’s coastal transportation network.