BYD Naval Architects secures contract to design electric passenger catamaran

A new electric 27m passenger catamaran for Ottawa Boat Cruise will be designed by BYD Naval Architects. The vessel comes as part of OBC’s initiative to continue delivering zero-emissions tourism to Canada.

BYD has developed an ultra-low resistant hull form specifically for this project to help reduce energy consumption without impacting passenger capacity. This vessel will be capable of carrying up to 500 passengers, and suitable for sightseeing or dining events. The main deck is enclosed, while the upper deck will remain open for exterior sightseeing. The design is underway with construction request for proposals due to release in the later part of 2023.

“This is an exciting project for the marine market and will push eco-tourism to a new frontier in Canada and the US,” said BYD’s Jami Buckley, a naval architect with the company. “We feel the success to decarbonizing the marine industry is with making efficiency gains wherever possible and reducing energy consumption in all areas. We lean on some of the mindsets from across industries to make these zero-emission platforms the best they can be.”

“Ottawa Boat Cruises is a leader in sustainable technology innovation,” added OBC president Robert Taillefer. “They built the first certified 100% electrical boat in the world in 2016. Their second electrical boat was built in 2022 and they are now building two new electrical vessels. It’s with this mindset that OBC makes it its mission to implement a sustainable, accessible tourism experience that empowers every single visitor to do their part in saving the planet.”