Canada's BC Ferries has picked Dutch yard group Damen for its new ro-pax order.
The owner said the vessels will go into service in 2020.
The total project price is CAD 86.5m ($64.35m) for both, patially funded by the government of Canada.
Damen will build them at its Galati yard in Romania and has entered into an agreement with Point Hope Shipyards of Victoria to provide technical and warranty support, ensuring repair and maintenance activities will be carried out in British Columbia.
The ships will replace the 841-gt North Island Princess (built 1958) and the 805-gt Howe Sound Queen (built 1964).
One of the new vessels will serve the route between Powell-River and Texada Island and the other will serve from Port McNeill, Albert Bay and Sointula.
The ferries will carry at least 44 vehicles and up to 300 passengers and crew.
They will feature a hybrid diesel electric/battery power generation and propulsion system.
The design allows for future expansion of the on-board battery capacity to permit full electric operation when the shore-side charging capacities are available.
The shipowner went out to tender worldwide in March last year. It received 28 proposals, including five from domestic yards.
The proposed newbuildings are part of a CAD 3bn asset renewal programme that involves orders for 14 vessels and mid-life renewals for several existing ships.
