Halifax will need to spend more than $40M on ferries for ‘mid-life overhauls’: report

A ferry docks in Halifax. (Jonathan MacInnis/CTV News Atlantic)

Halifax Transit’s ferries aren’t as young as they used to be and the mid-life refurbishments for the five vessels and their terminals could tip the scale at more than $40 million.

A new report submitted to Halifax council says the five ferries, which were commissioned between 2014 and 2018, are entering their mid-life phase and require scheduled maintenance. The overhauls are expected to start in 2029 and last for four fiscal years.

“These overhauls are estimated at approximately $3 million per vessel,” the report reads. “Control system upgrades are also required on three of the vessels. Maintaining an adequate spare parts inventory for all vessels is an emerging priority.

“Total known vessel capital requirements are estimated at $20.5 million, with $8 million identified in current capital plans.”

According to the report, the Christopher Stannix, Craig Blake and the Viola Desmond control systems are all obsolete and require $500,000 upgrades. The delivery of the hardware modifications and specialized reprogramming for these projects are expected to cause “significant service reliability impacts.”

“The fleet is operating with low spare parts inventory,” the report reads. “Procurement of specialized components including joysticks, screens and other marine equipment may require longer lead times ranging from two months to over 1 year.

“Maintaining service reliability will require increased budget allocation and resource strategy to manage the specialized systems and aging vessels.”

The Stannix and the Vincent Coleman returned to service earlier this year after Halifax Transit fixed steering issues in both vessels.

The Craig Blake is still undergoing inspections and repairs, and it is not scheduled to return to the waters until later this year.

The report also notes all three ferry terminals need to address structural concerns, outdoor environmental wear and passenger waiting area security barriers. This work is expected to cost roughly $22.9 million

The report says the Alderney and Halifax terminals have been in operation since the 1970s. The Woodside terminal opened in 1987 and underwent a building upgrade in 2022.

The Halifax terminal has already had $320,000 repairs to address saltwater corrosion on the ramp floor and the other terminals are undergoing assessments to determine needed repairs.

“Additional urgent work includes inner fender systems across all terminals, and refurbishment to withstand increasing service use, environmental and climate-related impacts, with estimated costs of approximately $270,000 per terminal for Alderney and Halifax,” the report reads.

“Delays in the Mill Cove project have required additional reliance on the current Halifax Ferry Terminal creating unplanned and immediate maintenance requirements. Immediate priorities include approximately $320,000 for window and structural upgrades, and $130,000 for installation of security barriers to meet Transport Canada security regulatory requirements.”

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