British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
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British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.:
SWOT Analysis & Company Profile
Reference code: TT0007CP
Published: Feb 2010
Business Review
John Carpenter House
7 Carmelite Street
London EC4Y 0BS
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7936 6400
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7336 6813
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British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. - SWOT Profile Page 1
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
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British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. - Company Overview
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) is an independent company based in Canada. It is one of the largest
ferry transportation system operators in the world principally engaged in offering vehicle and passenger services. The
company’s fleet consists of 36 vessels, which serves a broad range of communities ranging from 25 routes to 47 terminals
along the coast of British Columbia, Canada. In fiscal 2009, the company carried over 20.7 million passengers and 8.1
million vehicles on 187,000 sailings throughout coastal British Columbia. The company is headquartered at Victoria
(British Columbia) in the Canada.
In June 2009, the company revealed about its new Operations and Security Center (OSC). This state-of-the-art facility will
not only assist the company in monitoring its operations at all times and provide support to day-to-day operations but will
also improve the incident response and customer service.
Financial Performance
The company recorded revenues of CAD 681.8 million during the fiscal year ended March 2009, an increase of 6.41%
over the fiscal 2008. The Net earnings and comprehensive income of the company was CAD 9.02 million in fiscal 2009 as
comapred to CAD 37.094 million in fiscal 2008.
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. - Key Facts
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc., Key Facts
1112 Fort Street, Victoria, British
Columbia (BC), V8V 4V2, Ticker Symbol, Stock
Corporate Address: N/A
Exchange
Canada
Telephone + 1 250 3811401 No. of Employees 3,900
Fax + 1 250 3887754 Financial Year End March
URL www.bcferries.com Revenue (in CAD Million) 681.80
Industry Transport and Logistics Revenue (in USD Million) 649.33
Locations Canada
Source: Annual Report, Company Website, Primary and Secondary Research
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British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. - SWOT Profile Page 2
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
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British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. - Business Description
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) is an independent company that is engaged in providing ferry services
on the west coast of British Columbia in Canada. The company operates ferry systems, which provide transportation
service on 25 routes, supported by 36 vessels and 47 terminals. It also manages other remote routes through contracts
with independent operators. During the fiscal year ended March 2009, the company provided over 187,000 sailings,
carrying more than 20.7 million passengers and 8.1 million vehicles.
The company’s 36 fleet includes Coastal Renaissance, Spirit of British Columbia, Spirit of Vancouver Island, Tenaka,
Tachek, Skeena Queen, Quinsam, Quinitsa, Queen of Oak Bay, Queen of New Westminster, Queen of Nanaimo, Queen
of Cowichan, Queen of Cumberland, Queen of Chilliwack, Queen of Coquitlam, Queen of Surrey, Queen of Burnaby,
Queen of Capilano, Queen of Alberni, Quadra Queen II, Powell River Queen, Northern Expedition, North Island Princess,
Mill Bay, Kwuna, Klitsa, Kahloke, Kuper, Mayne Queen, Nimpkish, Northern Adventure, Howe Sound Queen, Island Sky,
Coastal Inspiration, Coastal Celebration and Bowen Queen.
BC Ferries provides services through fleet of 36 vessels, which serves different communities. The S-Class twins, Spirit of
British Columbia and Spirit of Vancouver Island are the grandest end of the spectrum. These vessels are 560 feet long
and can accommodate around 2,100 people and 470 vehicles. Its 111-foot Nimpkish carries 133 people and 16 vehicles.
It serves around 47 ports of call on 25 routes throughout the coastal British Columbia. The crossings between Vancouver
Island and B.C.’s Lower Mainland ranges between 95 minutes to two hours, which depends on the customer’s preference
for the route. Its shorter distance service includes BC Ferries service to the picturesque Gulf Islands that includes services
from both Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, and services to several communities along the Sunshine Coast,
northwest of Vancouver. Further, the fascinating travel services of the company include services from Prince Rupert to the
Queen Charlotte Islands.
BC Ferries Passages Gift Shop offers everything from seasonal apparel and contemporary giftware to BC Ferries toys, as
well as a large selection of books and magazines to its customers. The Seawest Lounge provides a value-added service
onboard the Spirit-class ships. Travelers on this ship can catch up on some work, read a book or simply relax and enjoy
the spectacular scenery. The Seawest lounge is another way for the company’s customers to enjoy the trip between
Vancouver and Victoria with offering Starbucks coffee, tea, juices, pastries and a choice of newspapers and magazines
for one all-inclusive price. In addition, a wide variety of food and beverage options are available onboard its vessels and at
its terminals. The Pacific Buffet offers elegant ocean-view dining on sailings from Vancouver to Victoria and features a
wide selection of hot and cold food items.
The company is looking for exploring alternative service providers on designated routes by fair and open competitive
processes. In addition, the company issued a request for proposals on the Brentwood Bay–Mill Bay route. It registered
Alternative Service Providers Plan (ASP Plan) with the BC Ferries Commissioner that sets out the specific routes.
In February 2009, the company introduced the Island Sky, an intermediate sized vessel, that entered service on the Earls
Cove-Saltery Bay route.
In May 2009, the company's Northern Expedition made its inaugural sailing. It is a 150-meter new cruise-ferry with 55
modern staterooms and spacious passenger areas along with Vista Restaurant, Canoe Cafe, and