From CCOBS: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/191p3FFNcg/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2025
Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound Applauds BC Ferries’ Commitment to Responsible Ship Recycling
Baynes Sound, BC – Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound (CCOBS) welcomes BC Ferries’ recent decision to recycle the Bowen Queen and Powell River Queen vessels through an established, federally managed facility in British Columbia.
CCOBS has long advocated for Canadian vessels to be recycled locally—not only to uphold environmental and safety standards, but to support the development of sustainable, good-paying jobs within our own communities. With over 900 vessels expected to be decommissioned in BC alone over the next decade, local ship recycling is not just a possibility—it’s a necessity. Canada can not send their end-of-life vessels to another country!
While this announcement is an encouraging step forward, CCOBS continues to call for stronger federal oversight. Canada must adopt international shipbreaking regulations to prevent the rise of unpermitted, unregulated shipbreaking operations that pose serious risks to both the environment and public health.
Based on their fleet inventory, ship owners must contribute to a fund which can be utilized to expand shipyards/ recycling facilities with drydocks and equipment to properly dismantle their vessels at the end-of-life. It is not up to the Canadian tax payers to fund the construction and expansion of these facilities.
Shipbreaking is a necessary part of the marine lifecycle—but it must be done right. That means using deep-water, heavy industrial ports with full environmental containment and with proper regulatory oversight. It must not be done in ecologically and biologically sensitive ecosystems that produce food.
We believe that all ship owners have a obligation to ensure that vessels in their fleets are dismantled responsibly. BC Ferries has set an example by partnering with experienced recyclers and using deep water, heavy industrial facilities. We urge other marine owners and all levels of government to follow suit and help build a safe, transparent, and sustainable ship recycling industry in Canada.
BC FerriesSeaspanTransport CanadaEnvironment and Climate ChangeFisheries and Oceans CanadaDavid EbyRandene NeillTamara DavidsonGord Johns for Courtenay-AlberniLiberal Party of Canada | Parti libéral du CanadaBC NDPNGO Shipbreaking PlatformBC Maritime Employers AssociationMark Carney
#stoptoxicshipbreaking#shipbuilding#marineindustry#ships#barges#bcferries#ecosystem#ProtectOurCoasts#coastalmarinestrategy#PolluterPays#saveouroceans
Contact:
Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound (CCOBS)
ccobs.society@gmail.com
BC Ferries moves to keep ship recycling work in BC
For Immediate Release
July 28, 2025
VICTORIA, BC – As part of its long-term fleet renewal strategy, BC Ferries is investing locally to recycle two retired Bowen-class vessels – the Bowen Queen and the Powell River Queen – helping to support BC jobs and build marine recycling capacity in British Columbia.
“Doing this work locally is an important step in building the capacity we know BC’s marine industry needs,” said Nicolas Jimenez, President & CEO of BC Ferries. “Right now, our primary option is to transport ships across the country at a cost of millions – money we’d rather invest in supporting local jobs. This is a deliberate decision to help change that, with a Canadian partner, in a federally regulated facility, in line with all applicable safety and environmental standards. We hope this investment helps lay the foundation to grow ship recycling on the west coast, a solution BC Ferries and BC companies urgently need.”
The work will be carried out by Marine Recycling Corporation (MRC) at Esquimalt Graving Dock, a federally managed facility, and then completed at a recycling facility in Surrey. Up to 25 employees from Point Hope Maritime in Victoria will work on the project at their second location at the Esquimalt Graving dock.
“This recycling project creates work for many of our people during a time when the dry dock might otherwise be empty,” said Riccardo Regosa, General Manager, Point Hope Maritime. “These are now the second and third vessels that Point Hope Maritime has helped recycle this year, and it’s the kind of work we see significant potential in expanding as the industry grows here locally.”
According to the Association of BC Marine Industries (ABCMI), more than 900 vessels across the province will require dismantling and disposal over the next decade.
“BC Ferries is just one of BC’s many marine fleet owners that has aging vessels set for retirement in the next decade – work that we currently don’t have capacity for in this province,” said Alex Rueben, Executive Director, ABCMI. “Instead of having these vessels sit derelict and become environmental and safety hazards, the opportunity exists now to start to build this new industry on the west coast to deliver good-paying jobs for years to come.”
MRC, one of Canada’s most experienced marine recycling firms, will lead the dismantling. All work will comply with WorkSafeBC, Transport Canada, and federal and provincial environmental regulations.
“MRC is proud to play a role in BC Ferries’ Fleet Renewal Program, contributing to this vital initiative for the future of marine transportation in British Columbia,” said Adam Smith, Executive Director of MRC’s Canadian Operations. “We understand how deeply British Columbians care about protecting the environment and our coastal waters – and we share that commitment. By continuing our vessel recycling operations at the Esquimalt Graving Dock, we’re not only supporting the full utilization of this key national facility but also providing high-quality, environmentally responsible vessel disposal services to both commercial and government shipowners across the province.”
BC Ferries already invests more than $130 million annually in ship maintenance, refit, and repair at local yards across the province. Strengthening BC’s ability to decommission vessels responsibly is a natural extension of that commitment, and a critical part of building a resilient marine sector that can build, operate, and retire vessels entirely within the province.
While this project demonstrates what’s possible, BC Ferries cannot build this capacity alone. The company is open to working with the Province of British Columbia, the federal government, and industry partners to explore a scalable, BC-based model that serves public and private fleets alike.
Additional vessels, including the retired Mayne Queen and Quadra Queen II, which is nearing the end of its service life, are expected to require dismantling in the coming years. This work will serve as a proof of concept that supports environmental protection, skilled trades, and industrial resilience across the coast.
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