Descanso Bay - Nanaimo Harbour Terminal Projects

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The terminals connecting Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) - Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) form an important link for residents and visitors alike. As projects are initiated to update the terminal over time, this page will be used to host relevant project information, engagement opportunities and updates. Sign up for proactive updates by clicking the 'Subscribe' button.

The terminals connecting Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) - Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) form an important link for residents and visitors alike. As projects are initiated to update the terminal over time, this page will be used to host relevant project information, engagement opportunities and updates. Sign up for proactive updates by clicking the 'Subscribe' button.

  • Introduction to Descanso Bay - Nanaimo Harbour 2025 Project

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    Marine Infrastructure Life Extensions: No extended closure period required

    Over the last several months, our teams have been reviewing the requirements for berth infrastructure upgrades and replacements for Descanso Bay and Nanaimo Harbour. After careful consideration, the decision has been made to shift the focus of the project from berth rebuilds to berth life extensions.

    This change reflects our commitment to both sustainability and fiscal responsibility while still meeting the needs of the community. Extending the life of the current infrastructure allows us to:

    • Maximize the value of the existing asset
    • Reduce costs associated with a full rebuild
    • Ensure continuity of service with minimal disruption to community and customers


    What Does This Mean for the Community?

    The revised scope will focus on targeted upgrades and maintenance and providing continued safe and reliable service.

    With a focus on life extensions, an extended closure period will not be required. Shortened berth closures, night work or schedule changes may still be necessary during the project, but timing and duration needs are still being explored.

    In addition, work continues to move ahead as planned with the electrification, and introduction of the new hybrid electric Island Class vessels, expected to enter service in early 2027.

    Next Steps

    Work on planning and mitigations during construction is now underway and we will keep you informed at every stage of the process and plan. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2025 and be completed in spring 2026.


    Community Engagement

    Your input remains vital to this process.

    Early in 2025, we will be engaging both in community and online. This will include an update on the full project details, timelines, and preliminary plans for the alternate service. These conversations will be an opportunity for those who rely on the service to provide their input on how we can mitigate service interruptions and keep the Island connected.

    Marine Infrastructure Life Extensions: No extended closure period required

    Over the last several months, our teams have been reviewing the requirements for berth infrastructure upgrades and replacements for Descanso Bay and Nanaimo Harbour. After careful consideration, the decision has been made to shift the focus of the project from berth rebuilds to berth life extensions.

    This change reflects our commitment to both sustainability and fiscal responsibility while still meeting the needs of the community. Extending the life of the current infrastructure allows us to:

    • Maximize the value of the existing asset
    • Reduce costs associated with a full rebuild
    • Ensure continuity of service with minimal disruption to community and customers


    What Does This Mean for the Community?

    The revised scope will focus on targeted upgrades and maintenance and providing continued safe and reliable service.

    With a focus on life extensions, an extended closure period will not be required. Shortened berth closures, night work or schedule changes may still be necessary during the project, but timing and duration needs are still being explored.

    In addition, work continues to move ahead as planned with the electrification, and introduction of the new hybrid electric Island Class vessels, expected to enter service in early 2027.

    Next Steps

    Work on planning and mitigations during construction is now underway and we will keep you informed at every stage of the process and plan. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2025 and be completed in spring 2026.


    Community Engagement

    Your input remains vital to this process.

    Early in 2025, we will be engaging both in community and online. This will include an update on the full project details, timelines, and preliminary plans for the alternate service. These conversations will be an opportunity for those who rely on the service to provide their input on how we can mitigate service interruptions and keep the Island connected.

  • Capital Planning Update March 2024

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    As an essential public service, it is our job to keep people moving safely and reliably. We review our capital plan regularly to ensure it’s helping us achieve those goals. Inevitably, that means some tough decisions as we must work within our budget.

    During this year’s annual review, we prioritized two main aspects of our capital investment plan:

    1. The work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure
    2. The delivery of vessels to replace our aging fleet and meet the growing capacity demands of the communities we serve, and the replacement of berths required to support new vessel introductions.

    As a result, we have had to defer or adjust the scope of some of our previously planned projects to work within available funds. For more on project impacts for Gabriola Island, please read on.

    Although some adjustments have been made, our plans continue to include $356 million in capital investments this year, and approximately $2.2 billion over the next four years (Performance Term Six). We also plan to pursue additional funding opportunities that would allow us to re-evaluate capital expenditures before the end of the next performance term (March 31, 2028). We will keep you updated as we continue to re-evaluate.

    What does this mean for Gabriola and Nanaimo Harbour terminal?

    As we note above, we have prioritized the work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure for Gabriola Island residents and travellers. As a result, uplands work at both Descanso Bay and Nanaimo Harbour terminals has been deferred for the foreseeable future.

    The Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island terminal projects will focus on improvements to the marine infrastructures at both terminals.

    Work also continues for the introduction of the two new fully-electric Island Class vessels to the route in 2027.

    We have heard community concerns around safety at the terminals, and while no uplands work is planned for the terminals, we are committed to staying connected with our partners including Islands Trust, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, local transit and other stakeholders, to work on operational improvements for vehicle staging, lighting, traffic control and communication.

    Thank you for your understanding as we work to balance the work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure.

    As an essential public service, it is our job to keep people moving safely and reliably. We review our capital plan regularly to ensure it’s helping us achieve those goals. Inevitably, that means some tough decisions as we must work within our budget.

    During this year’s annual review, we prioritized two main aspects of our capital investment plan:

    1. The work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure
    2. The delivery of vessels to replace our aging fleet and meet the growing capacity demands of the communities we serve, and the replacement of berths required to support new vessel introductions.

    As a result, we have had to defer or adjust the scope of some of our previously planned projects to work within available funds. For more on project impacts for Gabriola Island, please read on.

    Although some adjustments have been made, our plans continue to include $356 million in capital investments this year, and approximately $2.2 billion over the next four years (Performance Term Six). We also plan to pursue additional funding opportunities that would allow us to re-evaluate capital expenditures before the end of the next performance term (March 31, 2028). We will keep you updated as we continue to re-evaluate.

    What does this mean for Gabriola and Nanaimo Harbour terminal?

    As we note above, we have prioritized the work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure for Gabriola Island residents and travellers. As a result, uplands work at both Descanso Bay and Nanaimo Harbour terminals has been deferred for the foreseeable future.

    The Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island terminal projects will focus on improvements to the marine infrastructures at both terminals.

    Work also continues for the introduction of the two new fully-electric Island Class vessels to the route in 2027.

    We have heard community concerns around safety at the terminals, and while no uplands work is planned for the terminals, we are committed to staying connected with our partners including Islands Trust, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, local transit and other stakeholders, to work on operational improvements for vehicle staging, lighting, traffic control and communication.

    Thank you for your understanding as we work to balance the work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure.

Page last updated: 25 Jun 2026, 09:47 AM