The City is improving access to Toronto Island Park by beginning to replace its ferry fleet with electric vessels, building supporting electrical infrastructure at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, and reviewing all existing operational practices to improve efficiency and visitor experience for years to come.
The City has allocated funding for the construction and delivery of two fully electric ferries. Funding for additional vessels is subject to approval in future Capital Budgets.
*Each ferry must undergo mandatory testing upon arrival, followed by regulatory processing and compliance checks before it can begin service. This process is expected to take up to four weeks after the ferry’s arrival.
The timeline is subject to change.
In 2015, Concept Naval Architects was hired to design the electric ferries. From 2019 to 2021, the ferry designs were developed through stakeholder and community engagement. In 2022, City Council approved the budget to advance the construction of two electric ferry vessels and the supporting shore-side electrical infrastructure.
The City’s ferry fleet carries approximately 1.4 million passengers annually on its four primary ferry vessels. These vessels provide an essential service to Toronto Island residents and visitors. Although well-maintained, the current ferries are between 61 to 114 years old and beyond the average industry lifespan.
The initial strategy proposed replacing the current ferry fleet of four primary vessels operating on diesel with hybrid diesel-electric technology. However, the City’s adoption of TransformTO’s Net Zero Strategy, information about the cost comparisons for both vessel types, evolving industry trends and technologies, and long-term operational savings, like fuel costs, resulted in a shift to the transition to fully electric ferries.
The ferry fleet replacement aligns with TransformTO’s Net Zero Strategy and the City’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2020-2024. This initiative aligns with the target of transitioning 20 per cent of the City’s ferry fleet to zero emissions by 2025 and 50 per cent by 2030. Replacing the current ferries with a fully electric ferry fleet is estimated to reduce 2,800 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (equivalent to removing 600 cars from the road) and save over $1 million in fuel costs annually once all four ferries are replaced.
The Marine Use Strategy, which was developed by Waterfront Toronto in partnership with the City of Toronto, Ports of Toronto, and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), has informed opportunities to improve Toronto’s harbour, including the gradual replacement of the City’s ferry fleet with electric vessels and electrical infrastructure improvements at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to support the electrification of the new fleet. The City is moving forward with these initiatives in 2024/2025.
The design of the electric ferries will pay homage to the historical character of Toronto’s ferry fleet and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the ridership experience for Toronto Island residents and visitors.
The electric ferries will improve passenger experience with:
In 2024, the City procured two new ferry vessels. The first is the ROPAX electric ferry designed for year-round use and is equipped with ice-crushing capabilities. It is expected accommodate up to 650 passengers and 14 vehicles (or two large trucks), or up to 1,300 passengers without vehicles. This ferry will replace the Ongiara, currently the sole vehicle-carrying vessel in the City’s fleet certified for operation in icy waters during winter months.
The second vessel is the passenger-only ferry with an anticipated capacity of 1,300 passengers, intended to replace the William Inglis, which currently accommodates up to 309 passengers.
The integration of the new electric vessels at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal will require the construction of new shoreside infrastructure for vessel charging and other modifications before the arrival of the first vessel.
The City operates year-round ferry service to Toronto Island Park out of Jack Layton Ferry Terminal carrying passengers to and from Wards Island, Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point. The current fleet includes four diesel-fueled vessels and one heritage vessel:
Before a new vessel goes into operation, the Canadian government requires that each registered vessel be given a unique name for identification and communication purposes. There is a long-standing belief that goes back thousands of years that the name given to the vessel may help bring good fortune and safety to the vessel, its crew and passengers.
As part of the process, the City will introduce a community engagement exercise that follows the Guiding Principles for Commemoration, to help name the first two new electric ferries. More information will be provided as it is available.
All ferries operated by the City are inspected annually by Transport Canada or Lloyd’s Register through the Delegated Statutory Inspection Program under the authority of Transport Canada. They are also dry-docked on a five-year rotational schedule for more detailed inspection and maintenance.
Vessels must be inspected prior to entering service and have a valid inspection certificate. Transport Canada inspections are required on an annual basis to maintain the validity of the vessel’s certificate. In addition to inspection certificates, each vessel has approved and inspected Safe Manning Certificates and Record of Safety Equipment Certificates in place for operations.