Canada's BC Ferries has asked for expressions of interest from shipyards as it seeks to renew its fleet.
The company wants to order five "major vessels", it said.
National and overseas yards, including consortia, can bid for the business.
"BC Ferries encourages local and national companies to bid on these projects," it said.
But the owner has run into criticism in the past for turning to overseas yards.
The new ferries will reflect capacity and levels of service consistent with the current Coastal and Spirit Class vessels in size, capabilities and passenger amenities, it said.
They are expected to enter service in 2023 on BC Ferries’ major routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
“These vessels will be quieter and have a lighter ecological footprint than any we have ever built,” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries’ vice president of strategy and community engagement.
“We will build ships that work in harmony with our planet and also deliver the speed, capacity and resilience coastal travellers want.”
The five new ships will four older ones.
