(From left to right): MP Mark Gerretsen, Damen Shipyards sales manager Leo Postma, Ontario provincial parliament member Sophie Kiwala, and MP Mike Bossio. Credit: Damen Shipyards Group.

Damen Shipyards Group has received a contract from the Government of Ontario in Canada to design and build two ferries.

The Damen Road Ferry 6819 portfolio boat will be 68m, while the Damen Road Ferry 9819 design will be 98m.

The vessels will be based in Kingston and Loyalist Township at the north-eastern end of Lake Ontario.

Damen sales manager Leo Postma said: “This new contract is a continuation of successful sales into Canada by Damen and the two new ships will take the number of Damen ferries operating in the country up to eight, along with other Damen workboats.

“More are also currently under construction.”

Damen’s in-house team will design both the vessels in accordance with local infrastructure.

The hybrid-ready vessels will be designed to be fitted with batteries when required.

The Government of Ontario’s new 98m ferry will serve the Kingston-Wolfe Island route and is expected to be delivered by the end of 2020.

The other vessel is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2019 and will be deployed to serve Amherst Island.

Both the ferries will be larger than the government’s existing vessel fleet. They are also expected to improve travel for one million passengers and 500,000 vehicles every year.

The 270,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles travelling to and from Amherst Island each year will also be able to receive faster ferry services.