Electric Ferry Construction & Jack Layton Ferry Terminal Upgrades – May 2026
This media room contains images and b-roll showcasing construction progress on the City of Toronto’s new electric ferries, built by Damen Shipyards, along with ongoing upgrades at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal delivered in partnership with CreateTO, Pomerleau and Toronto Hydro. The collection highlights key stages in vessel construction and onsite improvements that support more modern, accessible and sustainable ferry service to Toronto Island.
B-roll Jack Layton Ferry Terminal
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Electric Ferries Images
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Rendering of the new Lady of the Quays vehicle and passenger ferry, which will replace the more than 60-year-old Ongiara ferry.
Rendering of the new Toronto Islander passenger ferry, which will replace the more than 90-year-old William Inglis ferry.
July 2025 – The steel cutting ceremony marks the official start of construction for a new vessel. During this milestone event, the first pieces of steel are cut for the ship’s hull — symbolizing the transition from design and planning to physical construction in the shipbuilding process.
October 2025 – Construction progress at Damen Shipyards. Did you know some large vessel sections are built upside down before being flipped upright later in the construction process? This method can help improve safety and efficiency during assembly.
November 2025 – A completed hull section of the Lady of the Quays ferry is carefully flipped upright as construction continues at Damen Shipyards.
December 2025 – the Lady of the Quays wheelhouse is beginning to take shape.
December 2025 – A commemorative Canadian silver dollar featuring a beaver was welded onto the keel of the Lady of the Quays. As part of a centuries-old maritime tradition dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, a commemorative coin is carefully welded onto the keel — the structural backbone of the vessel — to bring good fortune and protection to the ship and all who sail aboard.
February 2026 – Lady of the Quays assembly continues at Damen Shipyards.
March 2026 – Fresh paint for the Lady of the Quays as the vessel receives its first coat during construction.
March 2026 – A completed section of the ferry during construction, before final assembly and joining with the rest of the vessel.
April 2026 – Two major sections of the Lady of the Quays ferry are being prepared for final assembly, ahead of being welded together into a single vessel.
May 2026 – Final preparations are underway as the ferry is readied for side launch into the water, where construction will continue afloat.
Jack Layton Ferry Terminal Images
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January 2026 – Snow and ice accumulation at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal after major storm. Crews immediately cleared the site and continued shoreside infrastructure work.
January 2026 – Barge with crane on the move through icy Lake Ontario from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to nearby laydown area.
January 2026 – Crane and barge on Lake Ontario as part of shoreside infrastructure work.
January 2026 – Underground look at duct bank with 36 conduits as part of electrical infrastructure for charging the new ferries.
January 2026 – Diver prepping for underwater work at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. This is one of nearly 200 dives into a frigid Lake Ontario that took place during the winter.
