The Dutch shipbuilder Damen, contracted to deliver Toronto’s $92-million electric ferries, is facing forgery and sanction violation charges related to Russian military technology, which the city learned of only recently. Dutch prosecutors allege the company engaged in bribery and money laundering from 2006 to 2017, though these claims have yet to be tested in court. Toronto’s Mayor Olivia Chow stated the city has strict vendor requirements and that Damen met all disclosure norms during contract negotiations. Despite the allegations, she emphasized the city’s urgent need for the ferries, expected to arrive in 2026 and 2027.
