70 emissions-free manoeuvring in port,” says Bédard. “Even so, the newbuild project is our number one priority as electrification of public transport is also high on the province’s agenda. A budget for the three-ship series has already been reserved by the province’s Ministry of Transport and Durable Mobility, but our wish is that these newbuilds signal a further fleet renewal. Standardisation will be the name of the game, very much like [Canadian operator] BC Ferries has done with its Island-class ferries. The series of vessels will have a standard width, although the length of the platform may vary depending on the routes they service.” As a government organisation, STQ’s procurement procedure for the new double-ended ferries must be transparent and almost every step in the process put out to tender. Concept Naval, a local naval architecture consultancy with whom STQ has a longstanding partnership, has already been selected as the naval architect as has shipbroker Simsonship. “We have sent out the tender for the shore power integrator as the batterypowered newbuilds will be recharged with hydroelectric power while in port,” says Bédard. “Within the next year, we expect to send an invitation to bid on building the hybrid-electric ferries with the aim of introducing the first ship in 2029.” The vessels will provide regular services on the L’Isle-aux-Coudres to Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive and cross-Saint Lawrence Sorel-Tracy to St-Ignace-DeLoyola routes. While Canada’s Davie shipyard has built several ferries for STQ in the past, including the latest LNG-powered pair, it is too early to speculate on which yard will build the next-generation ferries. “I can promise that we will do our homework and let politics decide whether to build abroad or locally,” says Bédard. “Our long-term plan is to replace all diesel-powered ferries with hybrid-electric newbuilds, but we will start with these three ships. While this is our ambition, the economic climate will ultimately dictate where we will land in 15 years from now.” In April, STQ will submit a new strategic plan that will partially be along the lines of its 2020-2025 strategic plan, ending on 31 March. The 20202025 plan was structured around FEATURED INTERVIEW STQ operates 23 ferries on 13 routes, carrying more than five million passengers and 2.3 million vehicles annually
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